Two little confederates

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TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES

BY THOMAS NELSON PAGE.

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THE OLD MAN WALKED UP TO THE DOOR, AND STANDING ON ONE SIDE

FLUNG IT OPEN

TWO LITTLE C°NFEDERATES

BY

THOMAS NELSON PAGE

ILLUSTRATED

NEW YORK

CHARLES SCEIBNER'S SONS
1908

Copyright. 1888, by
CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS.

TO MY MOTHER

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

The old man walked up to the door, and standing on one

side, flung it open Frontispiece.

'' Tm in command/' said the gentleman, smiling at him

over the towel Page 75

*' Gentlemen, marsters, don't te-ck my horses, ef you

please," said Uncle 'buua " 61

Frank and Willy capture a member of the conscript-guard " 87
The boy faced his captor, who held a strap in one hand' " 119

' ' Look ! Look ! They are running. They are beating our

men !" exclaimed the boys " 131

The boys sell their cakes to the Yankees ** 147

Some of the servants came back to their old home . . . " 153

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

CHAPTER I.

THE "Two Little Confederates" lived at Oakland. It
was not a handsome place, as modern ideas go, but down
in Old Virginia, where the standard was different from
the later one, it passed in old times as one of the best plantations
in all that region. The boys thought it the greatest place in
the world, of course excepting Richmond, where they had
been one year to the fair, and had seen a man pull fire out of
his mouth, and do other wonderful things. It was quite
secluded. It lay, it is true, right between two of the county
roads, the Court-house Road being on one side, and on the
other the great " Mountain Road," down which the large
covered wagons with six horses and jingling bells used to go ;
but the lodge lay this side of the one, and " the big woods/*
where the boys shot squirrels, and hunted 'possums and coons,
and which reached to the edge of " Holetown," stretched
between the house and the other, so that the big gate-post
where the semi-weekly mail was left by the mail-rider each
Tuesday and Friday afternoon was a long walk, even by the
near cut through the woods. The railroad was ten miles
away by the road. There was a nearer way, only about half

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

the distance, by which the negroes used to walk, and which
during the war, after all the horses were gone, the boys, too,
learned to travel ; but before that, the road by Trinity Church
and Honeyman's Bridge was the only route, and the other was
simply a dim bridle-path, and the " horseshoe-ford" was known
to the initiated alone.

The mansion itself was known on the plantation as " the
great-house," to distinguish it from all the other houses on the
place, of which there were many. It had as many wings as the
angels in the vision of Ezekiel.

These additions had been made, some in one generation,
some in another, as the size of the family required ; and
finally, when there was no side of the original structure to
which another wing could be joined, a separate building had
been erected on the edge of the yard which was called " The
Office," and was used as such, as well as for a lodging-place
by the young men of the family. The privilege of sleeping in
the Office was highly esteemed, for, like the toga virilis, it
marked the entrance upon manhood of the youths who were
fortunate enough to enjoy it. There smoking was admissible,
there the guns were kept in the corner, and there the dogs
were allowed to sleep at the feet of their young masters, or
in bed with them, if they preferred it.

In one of the rooms in this building the boys went to
school whilst small, and another they looked forward to
having as their own when they should be old enough to be
elevated to the coveted dignity of sleeping in the Office. Hugh

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

already slept there, and gave himself airs in proportion ; but
Hugh they regarded as a very aged person ; not as old, it
was true, as their cousins who came down from college at
Christmas, and who, at the first outbreak of war, all rushed
into the army ; but each of these was in the boys' eyes a
Methuselah. Hugh had his own horse and the double-
barrelled gun, and when a fellow got those there was little
material difference between him and other men, even if he
did have to go to the academy, — which was really something
like going to school.

The boys were Frank and Willy ; Frank being the eldest.
They went by several names on the place. Their mother
called them her "little men/' with much pride; Uncle Balla
spoke of them as "them chillern," which generally implied
something of reproach ; and Lucy Ann, who had been taken
into the house to " run after " them when they were little
boys, always coupled their names as " Frank V Willy/' Peter
and Cole did the same when their mistress was not by.

When there first began to be talk at Oakland about the
war, the boys thought it would be a dreadful thing ; their
principal ideas about war being formed from an intimate
acquaintance with the Bible and its accounts of the wars of the
Children of Israel, in which men, women and children were
invariably put to the sword. This gave a vivid conception
of its horrors.

One evening, in the midst of a discussion about the
approaching crisis, Willy astonished the company, who were

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

discussing the merits of probable leaders of the Union armies,
by suddenly announcing that he'd " bet they did n't have any
general who could beat Joab."

Up to the time of the war. the boys had led a very unevent-
ful, but a very pleasant life. They used to go hunting with
Hugh, their older brother, when he would let them go, and
after the cows with Peter and Cole. Old Balla, the driver,
was their boon comrade and adviser, and taught them to make
whips, and traps for hares and birds, as he had taught them
to ride and to cobble shoes.

He lived alone (for hus wife had been set free years before,
and lived in Philadelphia). His room over "the old kitchen"
was the boys' play-room when he would permit them to come
in. There were so many odds and ends in it that it was a
delightful place.

Then the boys played blindman's-bufl in the house, or hide-
and-seek about the yard or garden, or upstairs in their den, a
narrow alcove at the top of the house.

The little willow-shadowed creek, that ran through the
meadow behind the barn, was one of their haunts. They
fished in it for minnows and little perch; they made dams
and bathed in it ; and sometimes they played pirates upon
its waters.

Once they made an extended search up and down its banks
for any fragments of Pharaoh's chariots which might have
been washed up so high; but that was when they were
younger and did not have much sense.

CHAPTER II.

THERE was great excitement at Oakland during the John
Brown raid, and the boys* grandmother used to pray
for him and Cook, whose pictures were in the papers.

The boys became soldiers, and drilled punctiliously with
guns which they got Uncle Balla to make for them. Frank
was the captain, Willy the first lieutenant, and a dozen or
more little negroes composed the rank and file, Peter and
Cole being trusted file-closers.

A little later they found their sympathies all on the side of
peace and the preservation of the Union. Their uncle w^o
for keeping the Union unbroken, and ran for the Convention
against Colonel Richards, who was the chief officer of the
militia in the county, and was as blood-thirsty as Tamerlane,
who reared the pyramid of skulls, and as hungry for military
•enown as the great Napoleon, about whom the boys had read.

There was immense excitement in the county over the
election. Though the boys' mother had made them add to
their prayers a petition that their Uncle William might win,
and that he might secure the blessings of peace ; and, though
at family prayers, night and morning, the same petition was
presented, the boys' uncle was beaten at the polls by a large
majority. And then they knew there was bound to be war.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

and that it must be very wicked. They almost felt the
" invader's heel," and the invaders were invariably spoken of
as " cruel," and the heel was described as of " iron," and was
always mentioned as engaged in the act of crushing. They
would have been terribly alarmed at this cruel invasion had
they not been reassured by the general belief of the commu-
nity that one Southerner could whip ten Yankees, and that,
collectively, the South could drive back the North with pop-
guns. When the war actually broke out, the boys were the
most enthusiastic of rebels, and the troops in Camp Lee did
not drill more continuously nor industriously.

Their father, who had been a Whig and opposed secession
until the very last, on Virginia's seceding, finally cast his lot
with his people, and joined an infantry company; and Uncle
William raised and equipped an artillery company, of which
he was chosen captain ; but the infantry was too tame and the
artillery too ponderous to suit the boys.

They were taken to see the drill of the county troop of
cavalry, with its prancing horses and clanging sabres. It was
commanded by a cousin ; and from that moment they were
cavalrymen to the core. They flung away their stick-guns in
disgust ; and Uncle Balla spent two grumbling days fashioning
them a stableful of horses with real heads and " sure 'nough "
leather bridles.

Once, indeed, a secret attempt was made to utilize the
horses and mules which were running in the back pasture ; but
a premature discovery of the matter ended in such disaster to

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

all concerned that the plan was abandoned, and the boys had
to content themselves with their wooden steeds.

The day that the final orders came for their father and
uncle to go to Richmond, — from which point they were ordered
to "the Peninsula," — the boys could not understand why
every one was suddenly plunged into such distress. Then,
next morning, when the soldiers left, the boys could not
altogether comprehend it. They thought it was a very fine
thing to be allowed to ride Frank and Hun, the two war-
horses, with their new, deep army saddles and long bits.
They cried when their father and uncle said good-bye, and
went away; but it was because their mother looked so pale
and ill, and not because they did not think it was all grand.
They had no doubt that all would come back soon, for old
Uncle Billy, the "head-man," who had been born down in
" Little York," where Cornwallis surrendered, had expressed
the sentiment of the whole plantation when he declared, as he
sat in the back yard surrounded by an admiring throng, and
surveyed with pride the two glittering sabres which he had
allowed no one but himself to polish, that " Ef them Britishers
jest sees dese swodes dee '11 run I" The boys tried to explain
to him that these were not British, but Yankees, — but he was
hard to convince. Even Lucy Ann, who was incurably afraid
of everything like a gun or fire-arm, partook of the general
fervor, and boasted effusively that she had actually " tetched
Marse John's big pistils."

Hugh, who was fifteen, and was permitted to accompany

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

his father to Richmond, was regarded by the boys with a
feeling of mingled envy and veneration, which he accepted
with dignified complacency.

Frank and Willy soon found that war brought some
immunities. The house filled up so with the families of
cousins and friends who were refugees that the boys were
obliged to sleep in the Office, and thus they felt that, at a
bound, they were almost as old as Hugh.

There were the cousins from Gloucester, from the Valley,
and families of relatives from Baltimore and New York, who
had come south on the declaration of war. Their favorite
was their Cousin Belle, whose beauty at once captivated both
boys. This was the first time that the boys knew anything
of girls, except their own sister, Evelyn ; and after a brief
period, during which the novelty gave them pleasure, the
inability of the girls to hunt, climb trees, or play knucks,
etc., and the additional restraint which their presence im-
posed, caused them to hold the opinion that "girls were no
good."

CHAPTER III.

V

IN course of time they saw a great deal of "the army/'—
which meant the Confederates. The idea that the Yan-
kees could ever get to Oakland never entered any one's
head. It was understood that the army lay between Oakland
and them, and surely they could never get by the innumerable
soldiers who were always passing up one road or the other,
and who, day after day and night after night, were coming to
be fed, and were rapidly eating up everything that had been
left on the place. By the end of the first year they had been
coming so long that they made scarcely any difference ; but
the first time a regiment camped in the neighborhood it
created great excitement.

It became known one night that a cavalry regiment, in
which were several of their cousins, was encamped at Honey-
man's Bridge, and the boys' mother determined to send a
supply of provisions for the camp next morning ; so several
sheep were killed, the smoke-house was opened, and all night
long the great fires in the kitchen and wash-house glowed ;
and even then there was not room, so that a big fire was
kindled in the back yard, beside which saddles of mutton
were roasted in the tin kitchens. Everybody was "rushing."
The boys were told that they might go to see the sol-

io TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

diers, and as they had to get off long before daylight, they
went to bed early, and left all "the other boys*' — that is,
Peter and Cole and other colored children — squatting about
the fires and trying to help the cooks to pile on wood.

It was hard to leave the exciting scene.

They were very sleepy the next morning ; indeed, they
seemed scarcely to have fallen asleep when Lucy Ann shook
them ; but they jumped up without the usual application of
cold water in their faces, which Lucy Ann so delighted to
make ; and in a little while they were out in the yard, where
Balla was standing holding three horses, — their mother's
riding-horse ; another with a side-saddle for their Cousin Belle,
whose brother was in the regiment ; and one for himself, —
and Peter and Cole were holding the carriage-horses for
the boys, and several other men were holding mules.

Great hampers covered with white napkins were on the
porch, and the savory smell decided the boys not to eat their
breakfast, but to wait and take their share with the soldiers.

The roads were so bad that the carriage could not go ;
and as the boys' mother wished to get the provisions 1-9 the
soldiers before they broke camp, they had to set out at once.
In a few minutes they were all in the saddle, the boys and
their mother and Cousin Belle in front, and Balia and the
other servants following close behind, each holding before
him a hamper, which looked queer and shadowy as they rode
on in the darkness.

The sky, which was filled with stars when they set out,

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. u

grew white as they splashed along mile after mile through
the mud. Then the road became clearer; they could see
into the woods, and the sky changed to a rich pink, like the
color of peach-blossoms. Their horses were covered with
mud up to the saddle-skirts. They turned into a lane only
half a mile from the bridge, and, suddenly, a bugle rang out
down in the wooded bottom below them, and the boys
hardly could be kept from putting their horses to a run, so
fearful were they that the soldiers were leaving, and that
they should not see them. Their mother, however, told
them that this was probably the reveille, or " rising-bell," of
the soldiers. She rode on at a good sharp canter, and the
boys were diverting themselves over a discussion as to who
would act the part of Lucy Ann in waking the regiment of
soldiers, when they turned a curve, and at the end of the
road, a few hundred yards ahead, stood several horsemen.

"There they are," exclaimed both boys.

"No, that is a picket," said their mother; "gallop on,
Frank, and tell them we are bringing breakfast for the regi-
ment."

Frank dashed ahead, and soon they saw a soldier ride
forward to meet him, and, after a few words, return with him
to his comrades. Then, while they were still a hundred
yards distant, they saw Frank, who had received some direc-
tions, start off again toward the bridge, at a hard gallop.
The picket had told him to go straight on down the hill, and
he would find the camp just the other side of the bridge.

12 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

He accordingly rode on, feeling very important at being
allowed to go alone to the camp on such a mission.

As he reached a turn in the road, just above the river,
the whole regiment lay swarming below him among the large
trees on the bank of the little stream. The horses were
picketed to bushes and stakes, in long rows, the saddles lying
on the ground, not far off ; and hundreds of men were mov-
ing about, some in full uniform and others without coat or
vest. A half-dozen wagons with sheets on them stood on
one side among the trees, near which several fires were
smoking, with men around them.

As Frank clattered up to the bridge, a soldier with a gun
on his arm, who had been standing by the railing, walked
out to the middle of the bridge.

" Halt ! Where are you going in such a hurry, my young
man ? " he said.

" I wish to see the colonel," said Frank, repeating as
nearly as he could the words the picket had told him.

" What do you want with him ? "

Frank was tempted not to tell him ; but he was so im-
patient to deliver his message before the others should
arrive, that he told him what he had come for.

" There he is," said the sentinel, pointing to a place
among the trees where stood at least five hundred men.

Frank looked, expecting to recognize the colonel by
.iis noble bearing, or splendid uniform, or some striking
marks.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 13

" Where ? " he asked, in doubt ; for while a number of
the men were in uniform, he knew these to be privates.

"There," said the sentry, pointing; "by that stump, near
the yellow horse-blanket."

Frank looked again. The only man he could fix upon by
the description was a young fellow, washing his face in a tin
basin, and he felt that this could not be the colonel ; but he
did not like to appear dull, so he thanked the man and rode
on, thinking he would go to the point indicated, and ask
some one else to show him the officer.

He felt quite grand as he rode in among the men, who,
he thought, would recognize his importance and treat him
accordingly ; but, as he passed on, instead of paying him the
respect he had expected, they began to guy him with all
sorts of questions.

" Hullo, bud, going to jine the cavalry?" asked one.
" Which is oldest ; you or your horse ? " inquired another.

"How's pa — and ma?" "Does your mother know
you 're out ? " asked others. One soldier walked up, and
putting his hand on the bridle, proceeded affably to ask him
after his health, and that of every member of his family. At
first Frank did not understand that they were making fun
of him, but it dawned on him when the man asked him
solemnly :

" Are there any Yankees around, that you were running
away so fast just now ? "

" No ; if there were I'd never have found you here," said

14 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

Frank, shortly, in reply ; which at once turned the tide in his
favor and diverted the ridicule from himself to his teaser,
who was seized by some of his comrades and carried off with
much laughter and slapping on the back.

"I wish to see Colonel Marshall," said Frank, pushing his
way through the group that surrounded him, and riding up
to the man who was still occupied at the basin on the stump.

" All right, sir, I'm the man," said the individual, cheerily
looking up with his face dripping and rosy from its recent
scrubbing.

" You the colonel ! " exclaimed Frank, suspicious that he
was again being ridiculed, and thinking it impossible that
this slim, rosy-faced youngster, who was scarcely stouter
than Hugh, and who was washing in a tin basin, could be the
commander of all these soldierly-looking men, many of whom
were old enough to be his father.

11 Yes, I'm the lieutenant-colonel. I'm in command," said
the gentleman, smiling at him over the towel.

Something made Frank understand that this was really
the officer, and he gave his message, which was received with
many expressions of thanks.

" Won't you get down ? Here, Campbell, take this
horse, will you ? " he called to a soldier, as Frank sprang
from his horse. The orderly stepped forward and took the
bridle.

" Now, come with me," said the colonel, leading the way.
-< We must get ready to receive your mother. There are

I M IN COMMAND" SAID THE GENTLEMAN, SMILING AT HIM OVER THE TOWEL.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 17

some ladies coming — and breakfast," he called to a group
who were engaged in the same occupation he had just ended,
and whom Frank knew by instinct to be officers.

The information seemed to electrify the little knot ad-
dressed ; for they began to rush around, and in a few mo-
ments they all were in their uniforms, and surrounding the
colonel, who, having brushed his hair with the aid of a little
glass hung on a bush, had hurried into his coat and was
buckling on his sword and giving orders in a way which at
once satisfied Frank that he was every inch a colonel.

" Now let us go and receive your mother," said he to the
boy. As he strode through the camp with his coat tightly
buttoned, his soft hat set jauntily on the side of his head,
his plumes sweeping over its side, and his sword clattering at
his spurred heel, he presented a very different appearance
from that which he had made a little before, with his head
in a tin basin, and his face covered with lather. In fact,
Colonel Marshall was already a noted officer, and before the
end of the war he attained still higher rank and reputation.

The colonel met the rest of the party at the bridge, and
introduced himself and several officers who soon joined him.
The negroes were directed to take the provisions over to the
other side of the stream into the camp, and in a little while
the whole regiment were enjoying the breakfast. The boys
and their mother had at the colonel's request joined his mess,
in which was one of their cousins, the brother of their cousin
Belle.

i8 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

The gentlemen could eat scarcely anything, they were so
busy attending to the wants of the ladies. The colonel, par-
ticularly, waited on their cousin Belle all the time.

As soon as they had finished the colonel left them, and
a bugle blew. In a minute all was bustle. Officers were
giving orders ; horses were saddled and brought out ; and,
by what seemed magic to the boys, the men, who just before
were scattered about among the trees laughing and eating,
were standing by their horses all in proper order. The
colonel and the officers came and said good-bye.

Again the bugle blew. Every man was in his saddle. A
few words by the colonel, followed by other words from the
captains, and the column started, turning across the bridge,
the feet of the horses thundering on the planks. Then the
regiment wound up the hill at a walk, the men singing
snatches of a dozen songs, of which " The Bonnie Blue
Flag," " Lorena," and " Carry me Back to Old Virginia
Shore," were the chief ones.

It seemed to the boys that to be a soldier was the noblest
thing on earth ; and that this regiment could do anything.

CHAPTER IV.

AFTER this it became a common thing for passing regi-
ments to camp near Oakland, and the fire blazed
many a night, cooking for the soldiers, till the chickens
were crowing in the morning. The negroes all had hen-
houses and raised their own chickens, and when a camp was
near them they used to drive a thriving trade on their own
account, selling eggs and chickens to the privates while the
officers were entertained in the "gret house."

It was thought an honor to furnish food to the soldiers.
Every soldier was to the boys a hero, and each young officer
might rival Ivanhoe or Coeur de Lion.

It was not a great while, however, before they learned
that all soldiers were not like their favorite knights. At any
rate, thefts were frequent. The absence of men from the
plantations, and the constant passing of strangers made
stealing easy ; hen-roosts were robbed time after time, and
even pigs and sheep were taken without any trace of the
thieves. The boys* hen-house, however, which was in the
yard, had never been troubled. It was about their only
possession, and they took great pride in it.

One night the boys were fast asleep in their room in the
office, with old Bruno and Nick curled up on their sheep-

20 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

skins on the floor. Hugh was away, so the boys were the
only " men " on the place, and felt that they were the pro-
tectors of the plantation. The frequent thefts had made
every one very suspicious, and the boys had made up their
minds to be on the watch, and, if possible, to catch the thief.

The negroes said that the deserters did the stealing.

On the night in question, the boys were sound asleep
when old Bruno gave a low growl, and then began walking
and sniffing up and down the room. Soon Nick gave a
sharp, quick bark.

Frank waked first. He was not startled, for the dogs were
in the habit of barking whenever they wished to go out-of-
doors. Now, however, they kept it up, and it was in a strain
somewhat different from their usual signal.

"What's the matter with you ? Go and lie down, Bruno,"
called Frank. " Hush up, Nick!*' But Bruno would not lie
down, and Nick would not keep quiet, though at the sound of
Frank's voice they felt less responsibility, and contented
themselves with a low growling.

After a little while Frank was on the point of dropping off
to sleep again, when he heard a sound out in the yard, which
at once thoroughly awakened him. He nudged Willy in the
side.

41 Willy — Willy, wake up ; there's some one moving
around outdoors."

" Umm-mm," groaned Willy, turning over and settling
himself for another nap.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 21

The sound of a chicken chirping out in fright reached
Frank's ear.

"Wake up, Willy I" he called, pinching him hard. "There's
some one at the hen-house."

Willy was awake in a second. The boys consulted as to
what should be done. Willy was sceptical. He thought
Frank had been dreaming, or that it was only Uncle Balla,
or " some one " moving about the yard. But a second cackle
of warning reached them, and in a minute both boys were out
of bed pulling on their clothes with trembling impatience.

"Let's go and wake Uncle Balla," proposed Willy, getting
himself all tangled in the legs of his trousers.

" No ; I'll tell you what, let's catch him ourselves," sug-
gested Frank.

"All right," assented Willy. "We'll catch him and lock
him up; suppose he's got a pistol? your gun maybe won't go
off ; it does n't always burst the cap."

" Well, your old musket is loaded, and you can hold him,
while I snap the cap at him, and get it ready."

"All right — I can't find my jacket — I'll hold him."

"Where in the world is my hat?" whispered Frank.
" Never mind, it must be in the house. Let's go out the back
way. We can get out without his hearing us."

" What shall we do with the dogs ? Let's shut them up."

" No, let's take 'em with us. We can keep them quiet and
hold 'em in, and they can track him if he gets away."

" All right ; " and the boys slowly opened the door, and

22 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

crept stealthily out, Frank clutching his double-barrelled gun,
and Willy hugging a heavy musket which he had found and
claimed as one of the prizes of war. It was almost pitch-
dark.

Th«y decided that one should take one side of the hen-
I house, and one the other side (in such a way that if they had
/ to shoot, they would almost certainly shoot one another f
but before they had separated both dogs jerked loose front
their hands and dashed away in the darkness, barkinj
furiously.

*' There he goes round the garden," shouted Willy, as th^
sound of footsteps like those of a man running with all his
might came from the direction which the dogs had taken.

" Come on/' and both started ; but, after taking a fev
steps, they stopped to listen so that they might trace the
fugitive.

A faint noise behind them arrested their attention, and
Frank tiptoed back toward the hen-house. It was too dark
to see much, but he heard the hen-house door creak, and was
conscious even in the darkness that it was being pushed slowly
open.

" Here's one, Willy," he shouted, at the same time putting
his gun to his shoulder and pulling the trigger. The hammer
fell with a sharp " click " just as the door was snatched to with
a bang. The cap had failed to explode, or the chicken-eating
days of the individual in the hen-house would have ended
then and there.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 23

The boys stood for some moments with their guns pointed
at the door of the hen-house expecting the person within to
attempt to burst out ; but the click of the hammer and their
hurried conference without, in which it was promptly agreed
to let him have both barrels if he appeared, reconciled him to
remaining within.

After some time it was decided to go and wake Uncle
Balla, and confer with him as to the proper disposition of
their captive. Accordingly, Frank went off to obtain help,
while Willy remained to watch the hen-house. As Frank
left he called back :

" Willy, you take good aim at him, and if he pokes his
head out — let him have it !"

This Willy solemnly promised to do.

Frank was hardly out of hearing before Willy was surprised
to hear the prisoner call him by name in the most friendly
and familiar manner, although the voice was a strange
one.

" Willy, is that you ? " called the person inside.

« Yes."

-Where's Frank?"

"Gone to get Uncle Balla."

" Did you see that other fellow?"

"Yes."

" I wish you'd shot him. He brought me here and played
a joke on me. He told me this was a house I could sleep in,
and shut me up in here, — and blest if I don't b'lieve it's

24 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

nothin' but a hen-house. Let me out here a minute," he con-
tinued, after a pause, cajolingly.

" No, I won't," said Willy firmly, getting his gun ready.

There was a pause, and then from the depths of the hen-
house issued the most awful groan :

" Umm ! Ummm!! Ummmm!!!"

Willy was frightened.

" Umm ! Umm ! " was repeated.

" What's the matter with you ? " asked Willy, feeling
sorry in spite of himself.

" Oh ! Oh ! Oh ! I 'm so sick," groaned the man in the
hen-house.

" How ? What 's the matter ? "

" That man that fooled me in here gave me something to
drink, and iu's pizened me ; oh ! oh ! oh ! I 'm dying."

It was a horrible groan.

Willy's heart relented. He moved to the door and was
just about to open it to look in when a light flashed across
the yard from Uncle Balla's house, and he saw him coming
with a flaming light-wood knot in his hand.

CHAPTER V.

¥ NSTEAD of opening the door, therefore, Willy called to

the old man, who was leisurely crossing the yard :

" Run, Uncle Balla. Quick, run !"

At the call Old Balla and Frank set out as fast as they
could.

"What's the matter? Is he done kill de chickens? Is
he done got away ? " the old man asked, breathlessly.

" No, he 's dyin'," shouted Willy.

" Hi ! is you shoot him ? " asked the old driver.

" No, that other man 's poisoned him. He was the robber
and he fooled this one," explained Willy, opening the door
and peeping anxiously in.

" Go 'long, boy, — now, d' ye ever heah de better o1 dat ?
— dat man 's foolin' wid you ; jes' tryin' to git yo' to let him
out."

" No, he is n't," said Willy ; " you ought to have heard
him."

But both Balla and Frank were laughing at him, so he
felt very shamefaced. He was relieved by hearing another
groan.

" Oh, oh, oh ! Ah, ah ! "

" You hear that ? " he asked, triumphantly.

26 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" I boun' I 11 see what 's the matter with him, the roscol !
Stan' right dyah, y' all, an' if he try to run shoot him, but
mine you don' hit me," and the old man walked up to the
door, and standing on one side flung it open. " What you
doin' in dyah after dese chillern's chickens ? " he called fiercely.

" Hello, old man, 's 'at you ? I 's mighty sick/' muttered
the person within. Old Balla held his torch inside the house,
amid a con-fused cackle and flutter of fowls.

" Well, ef 't ain' a white man, and a soldier at dat ! " he
exclaimed. " What you doin' heah, robbin' white folks' hen-

roos' ? " he called, roughly. " Git up off dat groun' ; you

• » • i »
am sick.

" Let me get up, Sergeant, — -hie — don't you heah the
roll-call ? — the tent 's mighty dark ; what you fool me in
here for ? " muttered the man inside.

The boys could see that he was stretched out on the
floor, apparently asleep, and that he was a soldier in uni-
form. Balla stepped inside.

" Is he dead ? " asked both boys as Balla caught him by
the arms, lifted him, and let him fall again limp on the
door.

" Nor, he 's dead-drunk," said Balla, picking up an empty
flask. " Come on out. Let me see what I gwi' do wid
you ? " he said, scratching his head.

" I know what I gwi' do wid you. I gwi' lock you up
right whar you is."

" Uncle Balla, s'pose he gets well, won't he get out ? "

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 27

" Am' / gwi' lock him up ? Dat 's good from you, who
was jes' gwi' let 'im out ef me an' Frank had n't come up
when we did."

Willy stepped back abashed. His heart accused him
and told him the charge was true. Still he ventured one
more question :

" Had n't you better take the hens out ? "

" Nor ; 't ain' no use to teck nuttin' out dyah. Ef he
comes to, he know we got im, an' he dyahson' trouble
nuttin'."

And the old man pushed to the door and fastened the
iron hasp over the strong staple. Then, as the lock had
been broken, he took a large nail from his pocket and fast-
ened it in the staple with a stout string so that it could not
be shaken out. All the time he was working he was talking
to the boys, or rather to himself, for their benefit.

" Now, you see ef we don' find him heah in the mornin' !
Willy jes' gwi' let you get 'way, but a man got you now,
wha'ar' been handlin' horses an' know how to hole 'em in the
stalls. I boun' he '11 have to butt like a ram to git out dis
log hen-house," he said, finally, as he finished tying the la'st
knot in his string, and gave the door a vigorous rattle to
test its strength.

Willy had been too much abashed at his mistake to fully
appreciate all of the witticisms over the prisoner, but Frank
enjoyed them almost as much as Unc' Balla himself.

" Now y' all go 'long to bed, an' I '11 go back an' teck

28 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

a little nap myself," said he, in parting. " Ef he gits out
that hen-house I '11 give you ev'y chicken I got. But he ain'
gwine git out. A mans done fasten him up dyah."

The boys went off to bed, Willy still feeling depressed
over his ridiculous mistake. They were soon fast asleep,
and if the dogs barked again they did not hear them.

The next thing they knew, Lucy Ann, convulsed with
laughter, was telling them a story about Uncle Balla and
the man in the hen-house. They jumped up, and pulling
on their clothes ran out in the yard, thinking to see the
prisoner.

Instead of doing so, they found Uncle Balla standing by
the hen-house with a comical look of mystification and cha-
grin ; the roof had been lifted off at one end and not only the
prisoner, but every chicken was gone !

The boys were half inclined to cry; Balla's look, however,
set them to laughing.

" Unc' Balla, you got to give me every chicken you got,
'cause you said you would," said Willy.

" Go 'way from heah, boy. Don' pester me when I
studyin' to see which way he got out."

" You ain't never had a horse get through the roof be-
fore, have you ? " said Frank.

" Go 'way from here, I tell you," said the old man, walk-
ing around the house, looking at it.

As the boys went back to wash and dress themselves, they
heard Balla explaining to Lucy Ann and some of the other

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 29

servants that " the man them chillern let git away had just
come back and tooken out the one he had locked up " ; a
solution of the mystery he always stoutly insisted upon.

One thing, however, the person's escape effected — it pre
vented Willy's ever hearing any more of his mistake ; but
that did not keep him now and then from asking Uncle Balla
" if he had fastened his horses well."

CHAPTER VI.

THESE hens were not the last things stolen from Oak-
land. Nearly all the men in the country had gone
with the army. Indeed, with the exception of a few
overseers who remained to work the farms, every man in the
neighborhood, between the ages of seventeen and fifty, was in
the army. The country was thus left almost wholly unpro-
tected, and it would have been entirely so but for the " Home
Guard," as it was called, which was a company composed of
young boys and the few old men who remained at home, and
who had volunteered for service as a local guard, or police
body, for the neighborhood of their homes.

Occasionally, too, later on, a small detachment of men,
under a leader known as a " conscript-officer," would come
through the country hunting for any men who were subject
to the conscript law but who had evaded it, and for deserters
who had run away from the army and refused to return,

These two classes of troops, however, stood on a very
different footing. The Home Guard was regarded with much
respect, for it was composed of those whose extreme age or
youth alone withheld them from active service ; and every
youngster in its ranks looked upon it as a training school,
and was ready to die in defence of his home if need were,

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 31

and, besides, expected to obtain permission to go into the
army " next year."

The conscript-guard, on the other hand, were grown men,
and were thought to be shirking the very dangers and hard-
ships into which they were trying to force others.

A few miles from Oakland, on the side toward the moun-
tain road and beyond the big woods, lay a district of virgin
forest and old-field pines which, even before the war, had
acquired a reputation of an unsavory nature, though its in-
habitants were a harmless people. No highways ran through
this region, and the only roads which entered it were mere
wood-ways, filled with bushes and carpeted with pine-tags ;
and, being travelled only by the inhabitants, appeared to out-
siders "to jes' peter out," as the phrase went. This territory
was known by the unpromising name of Holetown.

Its denizens were a peculiar but kindly race known to the
boys as " poor white folks," and called by the negroes, with
great contempt, "po' white trash." Some of them owned
small places in the pines ; but the majority were simply ten-
ants. They were an inoffensive people, and their worst
vices were intemperance and evasion of the tax-laws.

They made their living — or rather, they existed — by fish-
ing and hunting ; and, to eke it out, attempted the cultivation
of little patches of corn and tobacco near their cabins, or in
the bottoms where small branches ran into the stream already
mentioned.

In appearance they were usually so thin and sallow that

32 TWO LI12LE CONFEDERATES.

one had to look at them twice to see them clearly. At best,
they looked vague and illusive.

They were brave enough. At the outbreak of the war
nearly all of the men in this community enlisted, thinking, as
many others did, that war was more like play than work,
and consisted more of resting than of laboring. Although
most of them, when in battle, showed the greatest fearless-
ness, yet the duties of camp soon became irksome to them,
and they grew sick of the restraint and drilling of camp-life ;
so some of them, when refused a furlough, took it, and came
home. Others stayed at home after leave had ended, feeling
secure in their stretches of pine and swamp, not only from
the feeble efforts of the conscript-guard, but from any parties
who might be sent in search of them.

In this way it happened, as time went by, that Hole-
town became known to harbor a number of deserters.

According to the negroes, it was full of them ; and many
stories were told about glimpses of men dodging behind trees
in the big woods, or rushing away through the underbrush like
wild cattle. And, though the grown people doubted whether
the negroes had not been startled by some of the hogs, which
were quite wild, feeding in the woods, the boys were satisfied
that the negroes really had seen deserters.

This became a certainty when there came report after
report of these wood-skulkers, and when the conscript-guard,
with the brightest of uniforms, rode by with as much show and
noise as if on a fox-hunt. Then it became known that desert'

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 33

ers were, indeed, infesting the piny district of Holetown, and
in considerable numbers.

Some of them, it was said, were pursuing agriculture and
all their ordinary vocations as openly as in time of peace, and
more industriously. They had a regular code of signals, and
nearly every person in the Holetown settlement was in league
with them.

When the conscript-guard came along, there would be a
rush of tOvV-headed children through the woods, or some of
the women about the cabins would blow a horn lustily ; after
which not a man could be found in all the district. The horn
told just how many men were in the guard, and which path
they were following; every member of the troop being
honored with a short, quick " toot."

" What are you blowing that horn for ? " sternly asked
the guard one morning of an old woman, — old Mrs. Hall,
who stood out in front of her little house blowing like Boreas
in the pictures.

"Jes' blowin' fur Millindy to come to dinner," she said,
sullenly. " Can't y' all let a po' 'ooman call her gals to git
some 'n' to eat ? You got all her boys in d'army, killin' 'em ;
why n't yo' go and git kilt some yo'self, 'stidder ridin' 'bout
heah tromplin' all over po' folk's chickens ? "

When the troop returned in the evening, she was still
blowing ; " blowin' fur Millindy to come home," she said, with
more sharpness than before. But there must have been many
Millindys, for horns were sounding all through the settlement.

34 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

The deserters, at such times, were said to take to the
swamps, and marvellous rumors were abroad of one or more
caves, all fitted up, wherein they concealed themselves, like
the robbers in the stories the boys were so fond of reading.

After a while thefts of pigs and sheep became so common
that they were charged to the deserters.

Finally it grew to be such a pest that the ladies in the
neighborhood asked the Home Guard to take action in the
matter, and after some delay it became known that this valor-
ous body was going to invade Holetown and capture the
deserters or drive them away. Hugh was to accompany
them, of course ; and he looked very handsome, as well as
very important, when he started out on horseback to join the
troop. It was his first active service ; and with his trousers
in his boots and his pistol in his belt he looked as brave as
Julius Caesar, and quite laughed at his mother's fears for him,
as she kissed him good-bye and walked out with him to his
horse, which Balla held at the gate.

The boys asked leave to go with him ; but Hugh was so
scornful over their request, and looked so soldierly as he
galloped away with the other men that the boys felt as cheap
as possible.

CHAPTER VII.

WHEN the boys went into the house they found that
their Aunt Mary had a headache that morning, and,
even with the best intentions of doing her duty in
teaching them, had been forced to go to bed. Their mother
was too much occupied with her charge of providing for a
family of over a dozen white persons, and five times as many
colored dependents, to give any time to acting as substitute
in the school-room, so the boys found themselves with a holi-
day before them. It seemed vain to try to shoot duck on
the creek, and the perch were averse to biting. The boys
accordingly determined to take both guns and to set out for a
real hunt in the big woods.

They received their mother's permission, and after a lunch
was prepared they started in high glee, talking about the
squirrels and birds they expected to kill.

Frank had his gun, and Willy had the musket ; and both
carried a plentiful supply of powder and some tolerably round
slugs made from cartridges.

They usually hunted in the part of the woods nearest the
house, and they knew that game was not very abundant there ;
so, as a good long day was before them, they determined to
go over to the other side of the woods.

36 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

They accordingly pushed on, taking a path which led
through the forest. They went entirely through the big
woods without seeing anything but one squirrel, and presently
found themselves at the extreme edge of Holetown. They
were just grumbling at the lack of game when they heard a
distant horn. The sound came from perhaps a mile or more
away, but was quite distinct.

" What 's that ? Somebody fox-hunting ? — or is it a
dinner-horn ? " asked Willy, listening intently.

" It 's a horn to warn deserters, that 's what 't is," said
Frank, pleased to show his superior knowledge.

" I tell you what to do : — let 's go and hunt deserters,"
said Willy, eagerly.

"All right. Won't that be fun!" and both boys set out
down the road toward a point where they knew one of the
paths ran into the pine-district, talking of the numbers of
prisoners they expected to take.

In an instant they were as alert and eager as young
hounds on a trail. They had mapped out a plan before, and
they knew exactly what they had to do. Frank was the cap*
tain, by right of his being older; and Willy was lieutenant,
and was to obey orders. The chief thing that troubled them
was that they did not wish to be seen by any of the women
or children about the cabins, for they all knew the boys,
because they were accustomed to come to Oakland for sup-
plies ; then, too, the boys wished to remain on friendly terms
with their neighbors. Another thing worried them. They

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 37

did not know what to do with their prisoners after they
should have captured them. However, they pushed on and
soon came to a dim cart-way, which ran at right-angles to
the main road and which went into the very heart of Hole-
town. Here they halted to reconnoitre and to inspect their
weapons.

Even from the main road, the track, as it led off through
the overhanging woods with thick underbrush of chinquapin
bushes, appeared to the boys to have something strange
about it, though they had at other times walked it from end
to end. Still, they entered boldly, clutching their guns.
Willy suggested that they should go in Indian file and that
the rear one should step in the other's footprints as the
Indians do ; but Frank thought it was best to walk abreast,
as the Indians walked in their peculiar way only to prevent
an enemy who crossed their trail from knowing how many
they were ; and, so far from it being any disadvantage for the
deserters to know their number, it was even better that they
should know there were two, so that they would not attack
from the rear. Accordingly, keeping abreast, they struck in ;
each taking the woods on one side of the road, which he was
to watch and for which he was to be responsible.

The farther they went the more indistinct the track be-
came, and the wilder became the surrounding woods. They
proceeded with great caution, examining every particularly
thick clump of bushes ; peeping behind each very large tree ;
and occasionally even taking a glance up among its boughs :

3 8 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

for they had themselves so often planned how, if pursued,
they would climb trees and conceal themselves, that they
would not have been at all surprised to find a fierce deserter,
armed to the teeth, crouching among the branches.

Though they searched carefully every spot where a
deserter could possibly lurk, they passed through the oak
woods and were deep in the pines without having seen any
foe or heard a noise which could possibly proceed from one.
A squirrel had daringly leaped from the trunk of a hickory-
tree and run into the woods, right before them, stopping im-
pudently to take a good look at them ; but they were hunting
larger game than squirrels, and they resisted the temptation
to take a shot at him, — an exercise of virtue which brought
them a distinct feeling of pleasure. They were, however
beginning to be embarrassed as to their next course. They
could hear the dogs barking, farther on in the pines, and
knew they were approaching the vicinity of the settlement ;
for they had crossed the little creek which ran through a
thicket of elder bushes and "gums," and which marked the
boundary of Holetown. Little paths, too, every now and
then turned off from the main track and went into the pines,
each leading to a cabin or bit of creek-bottom deeper in.
They therefore were in a real dilemma concerning what to
do; and Willy's suggestion, to eat lunch, was a welcome one.
They determined to go a little way into the woods, where
they could not be seen, and had just taken the lunch out
of the game-bag and were turning into a by-path, when they

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 39

met a man who was coming along at a slow, lounging walk,
and carrying a long single-barrelled shot-gun across his arm.

When first they heard him, they thought he might be a
deserter; but when he came nearer they saw that he was
simply a countryman out hunting ; for his old game-bag (from
which peeped a squirrel's tail) was over his shoulder, and he
had no weapon at all, excepting that old squirrel-gun.

" Good morning, sir," said both boys, politely.

" Mornin' ! What luck y' all had ? " he asked good-
naturedly, stopping and putting the butt of his gun on the
ground, and resting lazily on it, preparatory to a chat.

"We're not hunting; we're hunting deserters."

" Huntin' deserters ! " echoed the man with a smile which
broke into a chuckle of amusement as the thought worked its
way into his brain. " Ain't you see' none ?"

" No," said both boys in a breath, greatly pleased at his
friendliness. "Do you know where any are?"

The man scratched his head, seeming to reflect.

" Well, 'pears to me I hearn tell o' some, 'r^un' to'des
that-a-ways," making a comprehensive sweep of his aim in *he
direction just opposite to that which the boys were taking.
"I seen the conscrip'-guard a little while ago pokin' 'roun'
this-a-way ; but Lor', that ain' the way to ketch deserters. I
knows every foot o' groun* this-a-way, an* ef they was any
deserters roun' here I'd be mighty apt to know it."

This announcement was an extinguisher to the boys' hopes.
Clearly, they were going in the wrong direction.

40 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" We are just going to eat our lunch," said Frank ;
"won't you join us?"

Willy added his invitation to his brother's, and their
friend politely accepted, suggesting that they should walk
back a little way and find a log. This all three did ; and in a
few minutes they were enjoying the lunch which the boys'
mother had provided, while the stranger was telling the boys
his views about deserters, which, to say the least, were very
original.

" I seen the conscrip'-guard jes' this mornin', ridin' 'round
whar they knowd they war n' no deserters, but ole womens
and children," he said with his mouth full. " Why n't they
go whar they knows deserters is ? " he asked.

" Where are they ? We heard they had a cave down on
the river, and we were going there," declared the boys.

" Down on the river? — a cave ? Ain' no cave down thar,
without it 's below Rockett's mill ; fur I Ve hunted and fished
ev'y foot o' that river up an' down both sides, an' t' ain' a hole
thar, big enough to hide a' ole hyah, I ain' know."

This proof was too conclusive to admit of further argu-
ment.

"Why don't you go in the army?" asked Willy, after a
brief reflection.

"What? Why don't / go in the army?" repeated the
hunter. " Why, I's in the army ! You did n' think I war n't
in the army, did you ? "

The hunter's tone and the expression of his face were so

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 41

full of surprise that Willy felt deeply mortified at his rude-
ness, and began at once to stammer something to explain
himself.

" I b'longs to Colonel Marshall's regiment," continued the
man, " an' I 's been home sick on leave o' absence. Got
wounded in the leg, an' I 's jes' gettin' well. I ain' rightly
well enough to go back now, but I 's anxious to git back ;
I 'm gwine to-morrow mornin' ef I don' go this evenin'. You
see I kin hardly walk now ! " and to demonstrate his lame-
ness, he got up and limped a few yards. " I ain' well yit," he
pursued, returning and dropping into his seat on the log, with
his face drawn up by the pain the exertion had brought on.

" Let me see your wound. Is it sore now?" asked Willy,
moving nearer to the man with a look expressive of mingled
curiosity and sympathy.

" You can't see it ; it 's up heah," said the soldier, touch-
ing the upper part of his hip ; " an' I got another one heah,"
he added, placing his hand very gently to his side. " This
one's whar a Yankee run me through with his sword. Now,
that one was where a piece of shell hit me, — I don't keer
nothin' 'bout that," and he opened his shirt and showed a tri-
angular, purple scar on his shoulder.

" You certainly must be a brave soldier," exclaimed both
boys, impressed at sight of the scar, their voices softened by
fervent admiration.

"Yes, I kep' up with the bes* of 'em," he said, with a
pleased smile.

42 TWO LI1TLE CONFEDERATES.

Suddenly a horn began to blow, " toot — toot — toot," as
if all the " Millindys " in the world were being summoned,
It was so near the boys that it quite startled them.

" That 's for the deserters, now," they both exclaimed.

Their friend looked calmly up and down the road, both
ways.

" Them rascally conscrip'-guard been tellin' you all that,
to gi' 'em some excuse for keepin' out o' th' army theyselves
— that 's all. Th' ain' gwine ketch no deserters any whar in
all these parts, an' you kin tell 'em so. I 'm gwine down thar
an* see what that horn 's a-blown' fur ; hit 's somebody's
dinner horn, or somp'n'," he added, rising and taking up his
game-bag.

" Can't we go with you ? " asked the boys.

" Well, nor, I reckon you better not," he drawled ; " thar
's some right bad dogs down thar in the pines, — mons'us
bad ; an7 I 's gwine cut through the woods an' see ef I can't
pick up a squ'rr'l, gwine 'long, for the ole 'ooman's supper,
as I got to go 'way to-night or to-morrow ; she 's mighty
poorly."

" Is she poorly much ? " asked Willy, greatly concerned.
" We '11 get mamma to come and see her to-morrow, and
bring her some bread."

" Nor, she ain' so sick ; that is to say, she jis' poorly and
'sturbed in her mind. She gittin' sort o' old. Here, y' all
take these squ'rr'ls," he said, taking the squirrels from his old
game-bag and tossing them at Willy's feet. Both boys pro-

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 43

tested, but he insisted. " Oh, yes ; I kin get some mo' fur
her."

" Y' all better go home. Well, good-by, much obliged to
you," and he strolled off with his gun in the bend of his arm,
leaving the boys to admire and talk over his courage.

They turned back, and had gone about a quarter of a
mile, when they heard a great trampling of horses behind
them. They stopped to listen, and in a little while a squad-
ron of cavalry came in sight. The boys stepped to one side
of the road to wait for them, eager to tell the important in-
formation they had received from their friend, that there were
no deserters in that section. In a hurried consultation they
agreed not to tell that they had been hunting deserters
themselves, as they knew the soldiers would only have a
laugh at their expense.

" Hello, boys, what luck?" called the officer in the lead,
in a friendly manner.

They told him they had not shot anything ; that the
squirrels had been given to them ; and then both boys in-
quired :

" You all hunting for deserters ? "

" You seen any ? " asked the leader, carelessly, while one
or two men pressed their horses forward eagerly.

" No, th' ain't any deserters in this direction at all," said
the boys, with conviction in their manner.

" How do you know ?" asked the officer.

"'Cause a gentleman told u* so."

44

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Who ? When ? What gentleman ? "

" A gentleman who met us a little while ago."

" How long ago ? Who was he ? "

" Don't know who he was," said Frank.

" When we were eating our snack," put in Willy, not to
be left out.

" How was he dressed ? Where was it ? What sort of
man was he ? " eagerly inquired the leading trooper.

The boys proceeded to describe their friend, impressed
by the intense interest accorded them by the listeners.

" He was a sort of a man with red hair, and wore a pair
of gray breeches and an old pair of shoes, and was in his
shirt-sleeves." Frank was the spokesman.

"And he had a gun — a long squirrel-gun," added
Willy, " and he said he belonged to Colonel Marshall's regi-
ment."

"Why, that 's Tim Mills. He 's a deserter himself,"
exclaimed the captain.

" No, he ain't — he ain't any deserter," protested both at
once. " He is a mighty brave soldier, and he 's been home
on a furlough to get well of a wound on his leg where he
was shot."

"Yes, and it ain't well yet, but he 's going back to his
command to-night or to-morrow morning ; and he's got
another wound in his side where a Yankee ran him through
with his sword. We know he ain't any deserter."

" How do you know all this ? " asked the officer

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 45

" He told us so himself, just now — a little while ago, that
is," said the boys.

The man laughed.

" Why, he 's fooled you to death. That 's Tim himself,
that 's been doing all the devilment about here. He is the
worst deserter in the whole gang."

" We saw the wound on his shoulder," declared the boys,
still doubting.

" I know it ; he 's got one there, — that 's what I know
him by. Which way did he go, — and how long has it
been ? "

" He went that way, down in the woods ; and it 's been
some time. He 's got away now."

The lads by this time were almost convinced of their
mistake ; but they could not prevent their sympathy from
being on the side of their late agreeable companion.

" We'll catch the rascal," declared the leader, very fiercely.
" Come on, men, — he can't have gone far ; " and he wheeled
his horse about and dashed back up the road at a great pace,
followed by his men. The boys were half inclined to follow
and aid in the capture ; but Frank, after a moment's thought,
said solemnly :

" No, Willy ; an Arab never betrays a man who has eaten
his salt. This man has broken bread with us ; we cannot
give him up. I don't think we ought to have told about him
as much as we did."

This was an argument not to be despised.

46 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

A little later, as the boys trudged home, they heard the
horns blowing again a regular " toot-toot" for " Millindy."
It struck them that supper followed dinner very quickly in
Holetown.

When the troop passed by in the evening the men were
in very bad humor. They had had a fruitless addition to
their ride, and some of them were inclined to say that the
boys had never seen any man at all, which the boys thought
was pretty silly, as the man had eaten at least two-thirds of
their lunch.

Somehow the story got out, and Hugh was very scornful
because the boys had given their lunch to a deserter.

CHAPTER VIII.

AS time went by the condition of things at Oakland
changed — as it did everywhere else. The boys' mother,
like all the other ladies of the country, was so devoted
to the cause that she gave to the soldiers until there was
nothing left. After that there was a failure of the crops, and
the immediate necessities of the family and the hands on the
place were great.

There was no sugar nor coffee nor tea. These luxuries
had been given up long before. An attempt was made to
manufacture sugar out of the sorghum, or sugar-cane, which
was now being cultivated as an experiment ; but it proved
unsuccessful, and molasses made from the cane was the only
sweetening. The boys, however, never liked anything sweet-
ened with molasses, so they gave up everything that had
molasses in it. Sassafras tea was tried as a substitute for tea,
and a drink made out of parched corn and wheat, of burnt
sweet potato and other things, in the place of coffee ; but
none of them were fit to drink — at least so the boys thought.
The wheat crop proved a failure ; but the corn turned out
very fine, and the boys learned to live on corn bread, as there
was no wheat bread.

The soldiers still came by, and the house was often full of

48 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

young officers who came to see the boys' cousins. The boys
used to ride the horses to and from the stables, and, being
perfectly fearless, became very fine riders.

Several times, among the visitors, came the young colonel
who had commanded the regiment that had camped at the
bridge the first year of the war. It did not seem to the boys
that Cousin Belle liked him, for she took much longer to
dress when he came ; and if there were other officers present
she would take very little notice of the colonel.

Both boys were in love with her, and after considerable
hesitation had written her a joint letter to tell her so, at
which she laughed heartily and kissed them both and called
them her sweethearts. But, though they were jealous of
several young officers who came from time to time, they felt
sorry for the colonel, — their cousin was so mean to him. They
were on the best terms with him ana had announced their
intention of going into his regiment if only the war should
last long enough. When he came there was always a scram-
ble to get his horse ; though of all who came to Oakland
he rode the wildest horses, as both boys knew by practical
experience.

At length the soldiers moved off too far to permit them
to come on visits, and things were very dull. So it was for a
long while.

But one evening in May, about sunset, as the boys were
playing in the yard, a man came riding through the place on
the way to Richmond. His horse showed that he had been

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 49

riding hard. He asked the nearest way to " Ground-Squirrel
Bridge." The Yankees, he said, were coming. It was a raid.
He had ridden ahead of them, and had left them about
Greenbay depot, which they had set on fire. He was in too
great a hurry to stop and get something to eat, and he rode
off, leaving much excitement behind him ; for Greenbay was
only eight miles away, and Oakland lay right between two
roads to Richmond, down one or the other of which the party
of raiders must certainly pass.

It was the first time the boys ever saw their mother
exhibit so much emotion as she then did. She came to the
door and called :

" Balla, come here." Her voice sounded to the boys a
little strained and troubled, and they ran up the steps and
stood by her. Balla came to the portico, and looked up
with an air of inquiry. He, too, showed excitement.

" Balla, I want you to know that if you wish to go, you
can do so."

" Hi, Mistis " began Balla, with an air of reproach ;

but she cut him short and kept on.

" I want you all to know it." She was speaking now so
as to be heard by the cook and the maids who were standing
about the yard listening to her. " I want you all to know it
— every one on the place ! You can go if you wish ; but, if
you go, you can never come back ! "

" Hi, Mistis," broke in Uncle Balla, " whar is I got to go ?
I wuz born on dis place an' I 'spec' to die here, an' be buried

5o TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

right yonder ; " and he turned and pointed up to the dark
clumps of trees that marked the graveyard on the hill, a
half mile away, where the colored people were buried. " Dat
I does," he affirmed positively. " Y' all sticks by us, and
we 11 stick by you."

" I know I ain' gwine nowhar wid no Yankees or nothin',"
said Lucy Ann, in an undertone.

" Dee tell me dee got hoofs and horns," laughed one of the
women in the yard.

The boys' mother started to say something further to
Balla, but though she opened her lips, she did not speak ; she
turned suddenly and walked into the house and into her
chamber, where she shut the door behind her. The boys
thought she was angry, but when they softly followed her a
few minutes afterward, she got up hastily from where she had
been kneeling beside the bed, and they saw that she had been
crying. A murmur under the window called them back to
the portico. It had begun to grow dark ; but a bright spot
was glowing on the horizon, and on this every one's gaze was
fixed.

" Where is it, Balla ? What is it ? " asked the boys' mother,
her voice no longer strained and harsh, but even softer than
usual.

" It's the depot, madam. They 's burnin' it. That man
told me they was burnin' ev'ywhar they went."

" Will they be here to-night?" asked his mistress.

" No, marm ; I don' hardly think they will. That man

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 51

said they could n't travel more than thirty miles a day ; but
they 'ell be plenty of 'em here to-morrow — to breakfast." He
gave a nervous sort of laugh.

" Here, — you all come here," said their mistress to the
servants. She went to the smoke-house and unlocked it.
" Go in there and get down the bacon — take a piece, each of
you/' A great deal was still left. " Balla, step here." She
called him aside and spoke earnestly in an undertone.

" Yes 'm, that 's so ; that 's jes* what I wuz gwine do," the
boys heard him say.

Their mother sent the boys out. She went and locked
herself in her room, but they heard her footsteps as she
turned about within, and now and then they heard her open-
ing and shutting drawers and moving chairs.

In a little while she came out.

" Frank, you and Willy go and tell Balla to come to the
chamber door. He may be out in the stable."

They dashed out, proud to bear so important a message.
They could not find him, but an hour later they heard him
coming from the stable. He at once went into the house.
They rushed into the chamber, where they found the door of
the closet open.

" Balla, come in here," called their mother from within.
" Have you got them safe ? " she asked.

"Yes 'm ; jes' as safe as they kin be. I want to be 'bout
here when they come, or I 'd go down an' stay whar they is."

" What is it ? " asked the boys.

52 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

"Where is the best place to put that?" she said, pointing
to a large, strong box in which, they knew, the finest silver
was kept ; indeed, all excepting what was used every day on
the table.

"Well, I declar', Mistis, that's hard to tell," said the old
driver, " without it 's in the stable."

" They may burn that down."

"That's so; you might bury it under the floor of the
smoke-house ? "

" I have heard that they always look for silver there,"
said the boys' mother. " How would it do to bury it in the
garden ? "

" That 's the very place I was gwine name," said Balla,
with flattering approval. " They can't burn that down, and
if they gwine dig for it then they '11 have to dig a long time
before they git over that big garden." He stooped and lifted
up one end of the box to test its weight.

" I thought of the other end of the flower-bed, between
the big rose-bush and the lilac."

" That 's the very place I had in my mind," declared the
old man. " They won* never fine it dyah ! "

" We know a good place," said the boys both together ;
" it 's a heap better than that. It 's where we bury our treas-
ures when we play ' Black-beard the Pirate.'"

"Very well," said their mother; "I don't care to know
where it is until after to-morrow, anyhow. I know I can trust
you," she added, addressing Balla.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 53

" Yes 'm, you know dat," said he, simply. " I '11 jes' go
an* git my hoe."

" The garden hasn't got a roof to it, has it, Unc' Balla ?"
asked Willy, quietly.

" Go 'way from here, boy," said the old man, making a
sweep at him with his hand. " That boy ain' never done
talkin' 'bout that thing yit," he added, with a pleased laugh,
to his mistress.

" And you ain't ever given me all those chickens either,"
responded Willy, forgetting his grammar.

" Oh, well, I 'm gwi* do it ; ain't you hear me say I 'm
gwine do it ?" he laughed as he went out

The boys were too excited to get sleepy before the silver
was hidden. Their mother told them they might go down
into the garden and help Balla, on condition that they would
not talk.

" That 's the way we always do when we bury the treasure.
Ain't it, Willy ? " asked Frank.

" If a man speaks, it 's death ! " declared Willy, slapping
his hand on his side as if to draw a sword, striking a theatri*
cal attitude and speaking in a deep voice.

" Give the ' galleon ' to us," said Frank.

" No ; be off with you," said their mother.

"That ain't the way," said Frank. " A pirate ne^er digs
the hole until he has his treasure at hand. To do so would
prove him but a novice ; would n't it, Willy?"

" Well, I leave it all to you. my little Buccaneers," said

54 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

their mother, laughing. " I'll take care of the spoons
forks we use every day. I '11 just hide them away in a hole
somewhere."

The boys started off after Balla with a shout, but remem-
bered their errand and suddenly hushed down to a little
squeal of delight at being actually engaged in burying treas-
ure— real silver. It seemed too good to be true, and withal
there was a real excitement about it, for how could they know
but that some one might watch them from some hiding-place,
or might even fire into them as they worked ?

They met the old fellow as he was coming from the car-
riage-house with a hoe and a spade in his hands. He was on
his way to the garden in a very straightforward manner, but
the boys made him understand that to bury treasure it was
necessary to be particularly secret, and after some little
grumbling, Balla humored them.

The difficulty of getting the box of silver out of the house
secretly, whilst all the family were up, and the servants were
moving about, was so great that this part of the affair had to
be carried on in a manner different from the usual programme
of pirates of the first water. Even the boys had to admit
this ; and they yielded to old Balla' s advice on this point, but
made up for it by additional formality, ceremony, and secrecy
in pointing out the spot where the box was to be hid.

Old Balla was quite accustomed to their games and fun-
their " pranks," as he called them. He accordingly yielded
willingly when they marched him to a point at the lower end

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 55

of the yard, on the opposite side from the garden, and left
him. But he was inclined to give trouble when they both re-
appeared with a gun, and in a whisper announced that they
must march first up the ditch which ran by the spring around
the foot of the garden.

" Look here, boys ; I ain' got time to fool with you
chillern," said the old man. " Ain't you hear your ma tell
me she 'pend on me to bury that silver what yo' gran'ma and
gran'pa used to eat off o' — an1 don* wan* nobody to know
nothin' 'bout it ? An* y' all comin' here with guns, like you
huntin' squ'rr'ls, an* now talkin' 'bout wadin' in the ditch ! "

" But, Unc' Balla, that 's the way all buccaneers do," pro-
tested Frank.

" Yes, buccaneers always go by water," said Willy.

" And we can stoop in the ditch and come in at the far
end of the garden, so nobody can see us," added Frank.

" Bookanear or bookafar, — I 'se gwine in dat garden and
dig a hole wid my hoe, an' I is too ole to be wadin' in a
ditch like chillern. I got the misery in my knee now, so bad
I 'se sca'cely able to stand. I don't know huccome y' all ain't
satisfied with the place you' ma an' I done pick, anyways."

This was too serious a mutiny for the boys. So it was
finally agreed that one gun should be returned to the office,
and that they should enter by the gate, after which Balla was
to go with the boys by the way they should show him, and
see the spot they thought of.

They took him down through the weeds around the gar-

56 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

den, crouching under the rose-bushes, and at last stopped at a
spot under the slope, completely surrounded by shrubbery.

" Here is the spot," said Frank in a whisper, pointing
under one of the bushes.

" It* s in a line with the longest limb of the big oak-tree
by the gate," added Willy, " and when this locust bush and
that cedar grow to be big trees, it will be just half-way between
them."

As this seemed to Balla a very good place, he set to work
at once to dig, the two boys helping him as well as they
could. It took a great deal longer to dig the hole in the
dark than they had expected, and when they got back to
the house everything was quiet.

The boys had their hats pulled over their eyes, and had
turned their jackets inside out to disguise themselves.

" It 's a first-rate place ! Ain't it, Unc' Balla ? " they said,
as they entered the chamber where their mother and aunt
were waiting for them.

" Do you think it will do, Balla?" their mother asked.

"Oh, yes, madam ; it's far enough, an' they got mighty
comical ways to get dyah, wadin' in ditch an' things — it will do.
I ain' sho' I kin fin' it ag'in myself." He was not particularly
enthusiastic. Now, however, he shouldered the box, with a
grunt at its weight, and the party went slowly out through
the back door into the dark. The glow of the burning depot
was still visible in the west.

Then it was decided that Willy should go before — he said

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

57

to " reconnoitre," Balla said " to open the gate and lead the
way," — and that Frank should bring up the rear.

They trudged slowly on through the darkness, Fra.ik and
Willy watching on every side, old Balla stooping under tht
weight of the big box.

After they were some distance in the garden they heard,
or thought they heard, a sound back at the gate, but decided
that it was nothing but the latch clicking ; and they went on
down to their hiding place.

In a little while the black box was well settled in the hole,
and the dirt was thrown upon it. The replaced earth made
something of a mound, which was unfortunate. They had
not thought of this; but they covered it with leaves, and
agreed that it was so well hidden, the Yankees would never
dream of looking there.

" Unc' Balla, where are your horses?" asked one of the
boys.

" That's for me to know, an' them to find out what kin,"
replied the old fellow with a chuckle of satisfaction.

The whole party crept back out of the garden, and the
boys were soon dreaming of buccaneers and pirates.

CHAPTER IX.

THE boys were not sure that they had even fallen asleep
when they heard Lucy Ann call, outside. They turned
over to take another nap. She was coming up to the
door. No, for it was a man's step, it must be Uncle Balla's ;
they heard horses trampling and people talking. In a second
the door was flung open, and a man strode into the room
followed by one, two, a half-dozen others, all white and all in
uniform. They were Yankees. The boys were too fright-
ened to speak. They thought they were arrested for hiding
the silver.

" Get up, you lazy little rebels," cried one of the intruders,
not unpleasantly. As the boys were not very quick in obey-
ing, being really too frightned to do more than sit up in bed,
the man caught the mattress by the end, and lifting it with a
jerk emptied them and all the bedclothes out into the middle
of the floor in a heap. At this all the other men laughed.
A minute more and he had drawn his sword. The boys
expected no less than to be immediately killed. They were
almost paralyzed. But instead of plunging his sword into
them, the man began to stick it into the mattresses and to
rip them up ; while others pulled open the drawers of the
bureau and pitched the things on the floor.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 59

The boys felt themselves to be in a very exposed and de-
fenceless condition ; and Willy, who had become tangled in
the bedclothes, and had been a little hurt in falling, now that
the strain was somewhat over, began to cry.

In a minute a shadow darkened the doorway and their
mother stood in the room.

" Leave the room instantly!" she cried. "Aren't you
ashamed to frighten children ! "

" We have n't hurt the brats," said the man with the sword,
good-naturedly.

" Well, you terrify them to death. It 's just as bad. Give
me those clothes ! " and she sprang forward and snatched the
boys' clothes from the hands of a man who had taken them
up. She flung the suits to the boys, who lost no time in
slipping into them.

They had at once recovered their courage in the presence
of their mother. She seemed to them, as she braved the in-
truders, the grandest person they had ever seen. Her face
was white, but her eyes were like coals of fire. They
were very glad she had never looked or talked so to
them.

When they got outdoors the yard was full of soldiers.
They were upon the porches, in the entry, and in the house.
The smoke-house was open and so were the doors of all the
other outhouses, and now and then a man passed, carrying
some article which the boys recognized.

In a little while the soldiers had taken everything they

60 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

could carry conveniently, and even things which must have
caused them some inconvenience. They had secured all the
bacon that had been left in the smoke-house, as well as all
other eatables they could find. It was a queer sight, to see
the fellows sitting on their horses with a ham or a pair of
fowls tied to one side of the saddle and an engraving, or a
package of books, or some ornament, to the other.

A new party of men had by this time come up from the
direction of the stables.

" Old man, come here ! " called some of them to Balla, who
was standing near expostulating with the men who were about
the fire.

« Who ?— me ? " asked Balla.

" B'ain't you the carriage driver?"

"Ain't I the keridge driver ?"

Yes, you ; we know you are, so you need not be lying
about it."

" Hi ! yes ; I the keridge driver. Who say I ain't ? "

" Well, where have you hid those horses ? Come, we want
to know, quick," said the fellow roughly, taking out his pistol
in a threatening way.

The old man's eyes grew wide. " Hi ! befo' de Lord!
Marster, how I know anything of the horses ef they ain't in
the stable, — there's where we keep horses ! "

" Here, you come with us. We won't have no foolin'
'bout this," said his questioner, seizing him by the shoulder
and jerking him angrily around. " If you don't show us

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 63

pretty quick where those horses are, we '11 put a bullet or two
into you. March off there ! "

He was backed by a half-a-dozen more, but the pistol,
which was at old Balla's head, was his most efficient
ally.

" Hi ! Marster, don't pint dat thing at me that way. I ain't
ready to die yit — an' I ain' like dem things, noways," protested
Balla.

There is no telling how much further his courage could
have withstood their threats, for the boys' mother made her
appearance. She was about to bid Balla show where the
horses were, when a party rode into the yard leading
them.

" Hi ! there are Bill and John, now," exclaimed the boys,
recognizing the black carriage-horses which were being led
along.

" Well, ef dee ain't got 'em, sho* 'nough ! " exclaimed the
old driver, forgetting his fear of the cocked pistols.

" Gentlemen, marsters, don't teck my horses, ef you
please" he pleaded, pushing through the group that sur-
rounded him, and approaching the man who led the horses.

They only laughed at him.

Both the boys ran to their mother, and, flinging their arms
about her, burst out crying.

In a few minutes the men started off, riding across the
fields ; and in a little while not a soldier was in sight.

" I wish Marse William could see you ridin' 'cross them

64 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

fields," said Balla, looking after the retiring troop in futile
indignation.

Investigation revealed the fact that every horse and mule
on the plantation had been carried off, except only two or
three old mules, which were evidently considered not worth
taking.

CHAPTER X.

AFTER this, times were very hard on the plantation*
But the boys' mother struggled to provide as best she
could for the family and hands. She used to ride all
over the county to secure the supplies which were necessary
for their support ; one of the boys usually being her escort
and riding behind her on one of the old mules that the raiders
had left. In this way the boys became acquainted with the
roads of the county and even with all the bridle-paths in the
neighborhood of their home. Many of these were dim enough
too, running through stretches of pine forest, across old fields
which were little better than jungle, along gullies, up ditches,
and through woods mile after mile. They were generally
useful only to a race, such as the negroes, which had an
instinct for direction like that shown by some animals ; but
the boys learned to follow them unerringly, and soon became
as skilful in "keep in* de parf " as any night-walker on the
plantation.

As the year passed the times grew harder and harder, and
the expeditions made by the boys' mother became longer and
longer, and more and more frequent.

The meat gave out, and, worst of all, they had no hogs
left for next year. The plantation usually subsisted on bacon ;

66 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

but now there was not a pig left on the place — unless the old
wild sow in the big woods (who had refused to be " driven
up " the fall before) still survived, which was doubtful ; for
the most diligent search was made for her without success,
and it was conceded that even she had fallen prey to the
deserters. Nothing was heard of her for months.

One day, in the autumn, the boys were out hunting in the
big woods, in the most distant and wildest part, where they
sloped down toward a little marshy branch that ran into the
river a mile or two away.

It was a very dry spell and squirrels were hard to find,
owing, the boys agreed, to the noise made in tramping
through the dry leaves. Finally, they decided to station
themselves each at the foot of a hickory and wait for the
squirrels. They found two large hickory trees not too far
apart, and took their positions each on the ground, with his
back to a tree.

It was very dull, waiting, and a half-whispered colloquy
was passing between them as to the advisability of giving it
up, when a faint " cranch, cranch, cranch," sounded in the
dry leaves. At first the boys thought it was a squirrel, and
both of them grasped their guns. Then the sound came
again, but this time there appeared to be, not one, but a
number of animals, rustling slowly along.

"What is it?" asked Frank of Willy, whose tree was a
little nearer the direction from which the sound came.

" 'Tain't anything but some cows or sheep, I believe,"

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 67

said Willy, in a disappointed tone. The look of interest
died out of Frank's face, but he still kept his eyes in the
direction of the sound, which was now very distinct. The
underbrush, however, was too thick for them to see anything.
At length Willy rose and pushed his way rapidly through the
bushes toward the animals. There was a sudden " oof, oof,"
and Frank heard them rushing back down through the woods
toward the marsh.

" Somebody's hogs," he muttered, in disgust.

" Frank ! Frank ! " called Willy, in a most excited tone.

"What?"

"It 's the old spotted sow, and she 's got a lot of pigs
with her — great big shoats, nearly grown ! "

Frank sprang up and ran through the bushes.

" At least six of 'em ! "

" Let 's follow em ! "

" All right."

The boys, stooping their heads, struck out through the
bushes in the direction from which the yet retreating animals
could still be heard.

" Let 's shoot 'em."

" All right."

On they kept as hard as they could. What great news it
was ! What royal game !

" It 's like hunting wild boars, is n't it?" shouted Willy,
joyfully.

They followed the track left by the animals in the leaves

68 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

kicked up in their mad flight. It led down over the hill,
through the thicket, and came to an end at the marsh which
marked the beginning of the swamp. Beyond that it could
not be traced ; but it was evident that the wild hogs had
taken refuge in the impenetrable recesses of the marsh which
was their home.

CHAPTER XI.

AFTER circling the edge of the swamp for some time
the boys, as it was now growing late, turned toward
home. They were full of their valuable discovery,
and laid all sorts of plans for the capture of the hogs. They
would not tell even their mother, as they wished to surprise
her. They were, of course, familiar with all the modes of
trapping game, as described in the story books, and they dis-
cussed them all. The easiest way to get the hogs was to
shoot them, and this would be the most " fun ; " but it would
never do, for the meat would spoil. When they reached
home they hunted up Uncle Balla and told him about their
discovery. He was very much inclined to laugh at them.
The hogs they had seen were nothing, he told them, but
some of the neighbors' hogs which had wandered into the
woods.

When the boys went to bed they talked it over once
more, and determined that next day they would thoroughly
explore the woods and the swamp also, as far as they could.

The following afternoon, therefore, they set out, and
made immediately for that part of the woods where they had
seen and heard the hogs the day before. One of them car-
ried a gun and the other a long jumping-pole. After finding
the trail they followed it straight down to the swamp.

7o TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

Rolling their trousers up above their knees, they waded
boldly in, selecting an opening between the bushes which
looked like a hog-path. They proceeded slowly, for the
briers were so thick in many places that they could hardly
make any progress at all when they neared the branch. So
they turned and worked their way painfully down the stream.
At last, however, they reached a place where the brambles
and bushes seemed to form a perfect wall before them. It
was impossible to get through.

" Let 's go home," said Willy. " 'Tain't any use to try
to get through there. My legs are scratched all to pieces
now."

" Let 's try and get out here," said Frank, and he turned
from the wall of brambles. They crept along, springing
from hummock to hummock. Presently they came to a spot
where the oozy mud extended at least eight or ten feet before
the next tuft of grass.

" How am I to get the gun across ? " asked Willy, dole-
fully.

" That 's a fact ! It 's too far to throw it, even with the
caps off."

At length they concluded to go back for a piece of log
they had seen, and to throw this down so as to lessen the
distance.

They pulled the log out of the sand, carried it to the
muddy spot, and threw it into the mud where they wanted it

Frank stuck his pole down and felt until he had what he

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 71

thought a secure hold on it, fixed his eye on the tuft of grass
beyond, and sprang into air.

As he jumped the pole slipped from its insecure support
into the miry mud, and Frank, instead of landing on the
hummock for which he had aimed, lost his direction, and
soused flat on his side with a loud " spa-lash," in the water
and mud three feet to the left.

He was a queer object as he staggered to his feet in the
quagmire ; but at the instant a loud " oof, oof," came from
the thicket, not a dozen yards away, and the whole herd
of hogs, roused, by his fall, from slumber in their muddy
lair, dashed away through the swamp with "oofs" of
fear.

" There they go, there they go ! " shouted both boys,
eagerly, — Willy, in his excitement, splashing across the peril-
ous-looking quagmire, and finding it not so deep as it had
looked.

" There 's where they go in and out," exclaimed Frank,
pointing to a low round opening, not more than eighteen
inches high, a little further beyond them, which formed an
arch in the almost solid wall of brambles surrounding the
place.

As it was now late they returned home, resolving to wait
until the next afternoon before taking any further steps.
There was not a pound of bacon to be obtained anywhere in
the country for love or money, and the flock of sheep was
almost gone.

72 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

Their mother's anxiety as to means for keeping her de-
pendents from starving was so great that the boys were on
the point of telling her what they knew ; and when they
heard her wishing she had a few hogs to fatten, they could
scarcely keep from letting her know their plans. At last
they had to jump up, and run out of the room.

Next day the boys each hunted up a pair of old boots
which they had used the winter before. The leather was so
dry and worn that the boots hurt their growing feet cruelly,
but they brought the boots along to put on when they
reached the swamp. This time, each took a gun, and they
also carried an axe, for now they had determined on a plan
for capturing the hogs.

"I wish we had let Peter and Cole come," said Willy,
dolefully, sitting on the butt end of a log they had cut, and
wiping his face on his sleeve.

"Or had asked Uncle Balla to help us," added Frank.

" They 'd be certain to tell all about it."

"Yes; so they would."

They settled down in silence, and panted.

** I tell you what we ought to do ! Bait the hog-path, as
you would for fish." This was the suggestion of the angler,
Frank.

"With what?"

"Acorns."

The acorns were tolerably plentiful around the roots of
the big oaks, so the boys set to work to pick them up. It

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 73

was an easier job than cutting the log, and it was not long
before each had his hat full.

As they started down to the swamp, Frank exclaimed,
suddenly, " Look there, Willy ! "

Willy looked, and not fifty yards away, with their ends
resting on old stumps, were three or four " hacks," or piles
of rails, which had been mauled the season before and left
there, probably having been forgotten or overlooked.

Willy gave a hurrah, while bending under the weight of a
large rail.

At the spot where the hog-path came out of the thicket
they commenced to build their trap.

First they laid a floor of rails ; then they built a pen, five
or six rails high, which they strengthened with " outriders."
When the pen was finished, they pried up the side nearest
the thicket, from the bottom rail, about a foot ; that is, high
enough for the animals to enter. This they did by means of
two rails, using one as a fulcrum and one as a lever, having
shortened them enough to enable the work to be done from
inside the pen.

The lever they pulled down at the farther end until it
touched the bottom of the trap, and fastened it by another
rail, a thin one, run at right-angles to the lever, and across
the pen. This would slip easily when pushed away from the
gap, and needed to be moved only about an inch to slip from
the end of the lever and release it ; the weight of the pen
would then close the gap. Behind this rail the acorns were

74 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

to be thrown ; and the hogs, in trying to get the bait, would
push the rail, free the lever or trigger, and the gap would be
closed by the fall of the pen when the lever was released.

It was nearly night when the boys finished.

They scattered a portion of the acorns for bait along the
path and up into the pen, to toll the hogs in. The rest they
strewed inside the pen, beyond their sliding rail.

They could scarcely tear themselves away from the pen ;
but it was so late they had to hurry home.

Next day was Sunday. But Monday morning, by day-
light, they were up and went out with their guns, apparently
to hunt squirrels. They went, however, straight to their trap.
As they approached they thought they heard the hogs grunt-
ing in the pen. Willy was sure of it ; and they ran as hard
as they could. But there were no hogs there. After going
every morning and evening for two weeks, there never had
been even an acorn missed, so they stopped their visits.

Peter and Cole found out about the pen, and then the
servants learned of it, and the boys were joked and laughed
at unmercifully.

" I believe them boys is distracted/' said old Balla, in the
kitchen ; " settin' a pen in them woods for to ketch hogs, —
with the gap open ! Think hogs goin* stay in pen with gap
open — ef any wuz dyah to went in ! "

" Well, you come out and help us hunt for them," said
the boys to the old driver.

" Go 'way, boy, I am' got time foolin' wid you chillern.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 75

buildin' pen in swamp. There ain't no hogs in them woods,
onless they got in dyah sence las* fall."

" You saw 'em, did n't you, Willy ? " declared Frank.

-Yes, I did/'

" Go 'way. Don't you know, ef that old sow had been in
them woods the boys would have got her up las' fall — an* ef
they had n't, she 'd come up long befo' this ? "

" Mister Hall ketch you boys puttin' his hogs up in pen,
he '11 teck you up," said Lucy Ann, in her usual teasing way.

This was too much for the boys to stand after all they
had done. Uncle Balla must be right. They would have to
admit it. The hogs must have belonged to some one else.
And their mother was in such desperate straits about meat !

Lucy Ann's last shot, about catching Mr. Hall's hogs, took
effect ; and the boys agreed that they would go out some
afternoon and pull the pen down.

The next afternoon they took their guns, and started out
on a squirrel-hunt.

They did not have much luck, however.

" Let 's go by there, and pull the old pen down," said
Frank, as they started homeward from the far side of the
woods.

14 It 's out of the way, — let the old thing rip."

" We 'd better pull it down. If a hog were to be caught
there, it would n't do/'

" I wish he would ! — but there ain't any hogs going to get
caught," growled Willy.

76 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" He might starve to death."

This suggestion persuaded Willy, who could not bear ta
have anything suffer.

So they sauntered down toward the swamp.

As they approached it, a squirrel ran up a tree, and both
boys were after it in a second. They were standing, one on
each side of the tree, gazing up, trying to get a sight of the
little animal among the gray branches, when a sound came to
the ears of both of them at the same moment.

" What 's that ? " both asked together.

" It 's hogs, grunting."

" No, they are fighting. They are in the swamp. Let 's
run," said Willy.

" No ; we '11 scare them away. They may be near the
trap," was Frank's prudent suggestion. " Let 's creep up."

" I hear young pigs squealing. Do you think they are
ours ? "

The squirrel was left, flattened out and trembling on top
of a large limb, and the boys stole down the hill toward the
pen. The hogs were not in sight, though they could be
heard grunting and scuffling. They crept closer. Willy
crawled through a thick clump of bushes, and sprang to his
feet with a shout. " We Ve got 'em ! We Ve got 'em ! " he
cried, running toward the pen, followed by Frank.

Sure enough ! There they were, fast in the pen, fighting
and snorting to get out, and tearing around with the bristles
high on their round backs, the old sow and seven large young

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 77

hogs ; while a litter of eight little pigs, as the boys ran upt
squeezed through the rails, and, squealing, dashed away into
the grass.

The hogs were almost frantic at the sight of the boys, and
rushed madly at the sides of the pen ; but the boys had made
it too strong to be broken.

After gazing at their capture awhile, and piling a few
more outriders on the corners of the pen to make it more
secure, the two trappers rushed home. They dashed breath-
less and panting into their mother's room, shouting ' We Ve
got 'em ! — we Ve got 'em ! " and, seizing her, began to dance
up and down with her.

In a little while the whole plantation was aware of the
capture, and old Balla was sent out with them to look at the
hogs to make sure they did not belong to some one else, — as
he insisted they did. The boys went with him. It was quite
dark when he returned, but as he came in the proof of the
boys' success was written on his face. He was in a broad
grin. To his mistress's inquiry he replied, " Yes, 'm, they 's
got 'em, sho' 'nough. They 's the beatenes' boys ! "

For some time afterward he would every now and then
break into a chuckle of amused content and exclaim,
" Them 's right smart chillern." And at Christmas, when
the hogs were killed, this was the ooinion of the
nlantation.

CHAPTER XII.

gibes of Lucy Ann, and the occasional little thrusts
of Hugh about the " deserter business," continued and
kept the boys stirred up. At length they could stand
it no longer. It was decided between them that they must
retrieve their reputations by capturing a real deserter and
turning him over to the conscript-officer whose office was at
the depot.

Accordingly, one Saturday they started out on an expe-
dition, the object of which was to capture a deserter though
they should die in the attempt.

The conscript-guard had been unusually active lately, and
it was said that several deserters had been caught.

The boys turned in at their old road, and made their way
into Holetown. Their guns were loaded with large slugs, and
they felt the ardor of battle thrill them as they marched along
down the narrow roadway. They were trudging on when
they were hailed by name from behind. Turning, they saw
their friend Tim Mills, coming along at the same slouch-
ing gait in which he always walked. His old single-barrel
gun was thrown across his arm, and he looked a little
rustier than on the day he had shared their lunch. The
boys held a little whispered conversation, and decided on a
treaty of friendship.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 79

" Good-mornm'," he said, on coming up to them. "How's
your ma ? "

" Good-morning. She's right well."

" What y' all doin' ? Huntin' d'serters agin ?" he asked.

" Yes. Come on and help us catch them."

" No ; I can't do that — exactly ; — but I tell you what I
can do. I can tell you whar one is ! "

The boys' faces glowed. " All right ! "

" Let me see," he began, reflectively, chewing a stick.
"Does y' all know Billy Johnson ? "

The boys did not know him.

" You sure you don't know him ? He's a tall, long fel-
low, 'bout forty years old, and breshes his hair mighty slick;
got a big nose, and a gap-tooth, and a mustache. He lives
down in the lower neighborhood."

Even after this description the boys failed to recognize
him.

" Well, he's the feller. I can tell you right whar he is,
this minute. He did me a mean trick, an' I'm gwine to
give him up. Come along."

" What did he do to you ? " inquired the boys, as they
followed him down the road.

" Why — he — ; but 't 's no use to be rakin' it up agin.
You know he always passes hisself off as one o' the conscrip'-
guards, — that 's his dodge. Like as not, that's what he 's
gwine try and put off on y' all now ; but don't you let him
fool you."

8o TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" We're not going to," said the boys.

" He rigs hisself up in a uniform — jes' like as not he stole
it, too, — an' goes roun' foolin people, meckin' out he's such
a soldier. If he fools with me, I'm gwine to finish him ! "
Here Tim gripped his gun fiercely.

The boys promised not to be fooled by the wily Johnson.
All they asked was to have him pointed out to them.

" Don't you let him put up any game on you 'bout bein'
a conscrip'-guard hisself," continued their friend.

" No, indeed we won't. We are obliged to you for telling

us."

" He ain't so very fur from here. He's mighty tecken
up with John Hall's gal, and is tryin' to meek out like he's
Gen'l Lee hisself, an' she ain't got no mo' sense than to
b'lieve him."

" Why, we heard, Mr. Mills, she was going to marry

»
you.

" Oh, no, / ain't a good enough soldier for her ; she
wants to marry Gen I Lee."

The boys laughed at his dry tone.

As they walked along they consulted how the capture
should be made.

" I tell you how to take him," said their companion. " He
is a monstrous coward, and all you got to do is jest to
bring your guns down on him. I would n't shoot him — 'nless
he tried to run ; but if he did that, when he got a little dis-
tance I'd pepper him about his legs. Make him give up his

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 81

sword and pistol and don't let him ride ; 'cause if you do,
he'll git away. Make him walk — the rascal ! "

The boys promised to carry out these kindly sugges-
tions.

They soon came in sight of the little house where Mills
said the deserter was. A soldier's horse was standing tied at
the gate, with a sword hung from the saddle. The owner,
in full uniform, was sitting on the porch.

" I can't go any furder," whispered their friend ; " but
that's him — that's * Gen'l Lee ' — the triflin' scoundrel ! —
loafin' 'roun' here 'sted o' goin' in the army ! I b'lieve y' all
is 'fraid to take him," eying the boys suspiciously.

" No, we ain't ; you'll see," said both boys, fired at the
doubt.

" All right ; I'm goin' to wait right here and watch you.
Go ahead."

The boys looked at the guns to see if they were all right,
and marched up the road keeping their eyes on the enemy.
It was agreed that Frank was to do the talking and give the
orders.

They said not a word until they reached the gate. They
could see a young woman moving about in the house, setting
a tatJe. At the gate they stopped, so as to prevent the man
from getting to his horse.

The soldier eyed them curiously. " I wonder whose boys
they is ? " he said to himself. " They's certainly actin' com-
ical ! Playin' soldiers, I reckon."

6

82 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Cock your gun — easy," said Frank, in a low tone, suit-
ing his own action to the word.

Willy obeyed.

" Come out here, if you please," Frank called to the man.
He could not keep his voice from shaking a little, but the
man rose and lounged out toward them. His prompt com-
pliance reassured them.

They stood, gripping their guns and watching him as he
advanced.

"Come outside the gate ! " He did as Frank said.

"What do you want ?" he asked impatiently.

"You are our prisoner," said Frank, sternly, dropping
down his gun with the muzzle toward the captive, and giving
a glance at Willy to see that he was supported.

" Your what ? What do you mean ? "

" We arrest you as a deserter."

How proud Willy was of Frank !

" Go 'way from here ; I ain't no deserter. I'm a-huntin'
for deserters, myself," the man replied, laughing.

Frank smiled at Willy with a nod, as much as to say, " You
see, — just what Tim told us ! "

" Ain't your name Mr. Billy Johnson ? "

" Yes ; that's my name."

" You are the man we're looking for. March down that
road. But don't run, — if you do, we'll shoot you ! "

As the boys seemed perfectly serious and the muzzles of
both guns were pointing directly at him, the man began to

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 83

think that they were in earnest. But he could hardly credit
his senses A suspicion flashed into his mind.

" Look here, boys," he said, rather angrily, " I don't
want any of your foolin' with me. I'm too old to play with
children. If you all don't go 'long home and stop giving
me impudence, I'll slap you over!" He started angrily
toward Frank. As he did so, Frank brought the gun to his
shoulder.

" Stand back ! " he said, looking along the barrel, right
into the man's eyes. " If you move a step, I'll blow your
head off!"

The soldier's jaw fell. He stopped and threw up his
arm before his eyes.

" Hold on ! " he called, " don't shoot ! Boys, ain't you
got better sense 'nt hat ? "

" March on down that road. Willy, you get the horse,"
said Frank, decidedly.

The soldier glanced over toward the house. The voice
of the young woman was heard singing a war song in a high
key.

" Ef Millindy sees me, I'm a goner," he reflected. " Jes
come down the road a little piece, will you ? " he asked, per-
suasively.

"No talking, — march ! " ordered Frank.

He looked at each of the boys ; the guns still kept their
perilous direction. The boys' eyes looked fiery to his sur-
prised senses.

84 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

"Who is y' all?" he asked.

" We are two little Confederates ! That's who we are,"
said Willy.

" Is any of your parents ever — ever been in a asylum ?"
he asked, as calmly as he could.

" That's none of your business," said Captain Frank.
" March on ! "

The man cast a despairing glance toward the hou,se, where
" The years " were " creeping slowly by, Lorena," in a very
high pitch, — and then moved on.

" I hope she ain't seen nothin'," he thought. " If I jest
can git them guns away from 'em "

Frank followed close behind him with his old gun held
ready for need, and Willy untied the horse and led it. The
bushes concealed them from the dwelling.

As soon as they were well out of sight of the house,
Frank gave the order :

"Halt!" They all halted.

" Willy, tie the horse." It was done.

"I wonder if those boys is thinkin' 'bout shootin' me?"
thought the soldier, turning and putting his hand on his pistol.

As he did so, Frank's gun came to his shoulder.

"Throw up your hands or you are a dead man." The
hands went up.

"Willy, keep your gun on him, while I search him for any
weapons." Willy cocked the old musket and brought it to
bear on the prisoner.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 85

" Little boy, don't handle that thing so reckless," the man
expostulated. " Ef that musket was to go off, it might kill
me!"

" No talking," demanded Frank, going up to him. " Hold
up your hands. Willy, shoot him if he moves."

Frank drew a long pistol from its holster with an air of
business. He searched carefully, but there was no more.

The fellow gritted his teeth. " If she ever hears of this,
Tim's got her certain," he groaned ; " but she won't never
hear."

At a turn in the road his heart sank within him ; for just
around the curve they came upon Tim Mills sitting quietly
on a stump. He looked at them with a quizzical eye, but
said not a word.

The prisoner's face was a study when he recognized his
rival and enemy. As Mills did not move, his courage re-
turned.

'* Good mornin', Tim/' he said, with great politeness.

The man on the sturnp said nothing ; he only looked on
with complacent enjoyment.

" Tim, is these two boys crazy ? " he asked slowly.

" They 're crazy 'bout shootin' deserters," replied Tim.

"Tim, tell 'em I ain't no deserter." His voice was full
of entreaty.

"Well, if you ain't a d'serter, what you doin' outn the
army ? "

"You know " began the fellow fiercely; but Tim

86 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

shifted his long single-barrel lazily into his hand and looked
the man straight in the eyes, and the prisoner stopped.

"Yes, I know," said Tim with a sudden spark in his
eyes. " An' you know," he added after a pause, during which
his face resumed its usual listless look. " An' my edvice to
you is to go 'long with them boys, if you don't want to git
three loads of slugs in you. They may put 'em in you
anyway. They's sort of 'stracted 'bout cFserters, and I can
swear to it." He touched his forehead expressively.

" March on !" said Frank.

The prisoner, grinding his teeth, moved forward, followed
by his guards.

As the enemies parted each man sent the same ugly look
after the other.

"It's all over! He's got her," groaned Johnson. As
they passed out of sight, Mills rose and sauntered somewhat
briskly (for him) in the direction of John Hall's.

They soon reached a little stream, not far from the depot
where the provost-guard was stationed. On its banks the man
made his last stand ; but his obstinacy brought a black muzzle
close to his head with a stern little face behind it, and he was
fain to march straight through the water, as he was ordered.

Just as he was emerging on the other bank, with his boots
full of water and his trousers dripping, closely followed by
Frank brandishing his pistol, a small body of soldiers rode
up. They were the conscript-guard. Johnson's look was de-
spairing.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Why, Billy, what in thunder ? Thought you were

sick in bed ! "

Another minute and the soldiers took in the situation by
instinct — and Johnson's rage was drowned in the universal
explosion of laughter.

The boys had captured a member of the conscript-guard.

In the midst of all, Frank and Willy, overwhelmed by
their ridiculous error, took to their heels as hard as they
could, and the last sounds that reached them were the roars
of the soldiers as the scampering boys disappeared in a cloud
of dust.

Johnson went back, in a few days, to see John Hall's
daughter ; but the young lady declared she would n't marry
any man who let two boys make him wade through a creek ;
and a month or two later she married Tim Mills.

To all the gibes he heard on the subject of his capture,
and they were many, Johnson made but one reply :

"Them boys 's had parents in a a — sylum, sure/99

CHAPTER XIII.

IT was now nearing the end of the third year of the war.
Hugh was seventeen, and was eager to go into the

army. His mother would have liked to keep him at
home ; but she felt that it was her duty not to withhold any-
thing, and Colonel Marshall offered Hugh a place with him.
So a horse was bought, and Hugh went to Richmond and
came back with a uniform and a sabre. The boys truly
thought that General Lee himself was not so imposing or so
great a soldier as Hugh. They followed him about like two
pet dogs, and when he sat down they stood an^1 gazed at
him adoringly.

When Hugh rode away to the army it was harder to part
with him than they had expected ; and though he had left
them his gun and dog, to console them during his absence, it
was difficult to keep from crying. Everyone on the planta-
tion was moved. Uncle Balla, who up to the last moment
had been very lively attending to the horse, as the young sol-
dier galloped away sank down on the end of the steps of the.
office, and, dropping his hands on his knees, followed Hugh
with his eyes until he disappeared over the hill. The old
driver said nothing, but his face expressed a great deal

The boys' mother cried a great deal, but it was generally
when she was by herself.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 91

"She 's afraid Hugh '11 be kilt," Willy said to Uncle
Balla, in explanation of her tears, — the old servant having
remarked that he " b'lieved she cried more when Hugh went
away, than she did when Marse John and Marse William both
went.''

" Hi ! war n't she 'fred they '11 be kilt, too ? " he asked in
some scorn.

This was beyond Willy's logic, so he pondered over it.

•" Yes, but she 's afraid Hugh '11 be kilt, as well as them,"
he said finally, as the best solution of the problem.

It did not seem to wholly satisfy Uncle Balla's mind, for
when he moved off he said, as though talking to himself :

"She sutn'ey is 'sot' on that boy. He '11 be a gen'l his-
self, the first thing she know."

There was a bond of sympathy between Uncle Balla and
his mistress which did not exist so strongly between her and
any of the other servants. It was due perhaps to the fact
that he was the companion and friend of her boys.

That winter the place where the army went into winter-
quarters was some distance from Oakland ; but the young
officers used to ride over, from time to time, two or three
together, and stay for a day or two.

Times were harder than they had been before, but the
young people were as gay as ever.

The colonel, who had been dreadfully wounded in the
summer, had been made a brigadier-general for gallantry.
Hugh had received a slight wound in the same action. The

92 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

General had written to the boy's mother about him ; but he
had not been home. The General had gone back to his
command. He had never been to Oakland since he was
wounded.

One evening, the boys had just teased their Cousin Belle
into reading them their nightly portion of "The Talisman,"
as they sat before a bright lightwood fire, when two horse-
men galloped up to the gate, their horses splashed with mud
from fetlocks to ears. In a second, Lucy Ann dashed head-
long into the room, with her teeth gleaming :

" Here Marse Hugh, out here ! "

There was a scamper to the door — the boys first, shouting
at the tops of their voices, Cousin Belle next, and Lucy Ann
close at her heels.

" Who 's with him, Lucy Ann ?" asked Miss Belle, as they
reached the passage-way, and heard several voices outside.

" The Gunnel's with 'im."

The young lady turned and fled up the steps as fast as she
could.

"You see I brought my welcome with me," said the Gen-
eral, addressing the boy's mother, and laying his hand on
his young aide's shoulder, as they stood, a little later, " thaw-
ing out " by the roaring log-fire in the sitting-room.

" You always bring that ; but you are doubly welcome for
bringing this young soldier back to me," said she, putting her
arm affectionately around her son.

Just then the boys came rushing in from taking the horses

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 93

to the stable. They made a dive toward the fire to warm
their little chapped hands.

" I told you Hugh war n't as tall as the General," said
Frank, across the hearth to Willy.

" Who said he was?"

"You!"

" I did n't."

" You did."

They were a contradictory pair of youngsters, and their
voices, pitched in a youthful treble, were apt in discussion
to strike a somewhat higher key; but it did not follow that
they were in an ill-humor merely because they contradicted
each other.

" What did you say, if you did n't say that?" insisted
Frank.

" I said he looked as if he thought himself as tall, as the
General," declared Willy, defiantly, oblivious in his excite-
ment of the eldest brother's presence. There was a general
laugh at Hugh's confusion ; but Hugh had carried an order
across a field under a hot fire, and had brought a regiment
up in the nicK of time, riding by its colonel's side in a charge
which had changed the issue of the fight, and had a sabre
wound in the arm to show for it. He could therefore afford
to pass over such an accusation with a little tweak of Willy's
ear.

" Where 's Cousin Belle ? " asked Frank.

" I s'peck she 's putting on her fine clothes for the Gen-

94 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

eral to see. Did n't she run when she heard he was
here ! "

" Willy ! " said his mother, reprovingly.

" Well, she did, Ma."

His mother shook her head at him ; but the General put
his hand on the boy, and drew him closer.

" You say she ran ? " he asked, with a pleasant light in his
eyes.

" Yes, sirree ; she did that."

Just then the door opened, and their Cousin Belle entered
the room. She looked perfectly beautiful. The greetings
were very cordial — to Hugh especially. She threw her arms
around his neck, and kissed him.

"You young hero!" she cried. "Oh, Hugh, I am so
proud of you ! "-—kissing him again, and laughing at him,
with her face glowing, and her big brown eyes full of light
" Where were you wounded ? Oh ! I was so frightened
when I heard about it !"

" Where was it ? Show it to us, Hugh ; please do/'
exclaimed both boys at once, jumping around him, and pull-
ing at his arm.

"Oh, Hugh, is it still very painful ?" asked his cousin, her
pretty face filled with sudden sympathy.

" Oh ! no, it was nothing — nothing but a scratch," said
Hugh, shaking the boys off, his expression being divided
between feigned indifference and sheepishness, at this praise
in the presence of his chief.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 95

" No such thing, Miss Belle," put in the General, glad of
the chance to secure her commendation. " It might have
been very serious, and it was a splendid ride he made."

" Were you not ashamed of yourself to send him into
such danger? "she said, turning on him suddenly. " Why
did you not go yourself ?"

The young man laughed. Her beauty entranced him.
He had scars enough to justify him in keeping silence under
her pretended reproach.

" Well, you see, I could n't leave the place where I was.
I had to send some one, and I knew Hugh would do it. He
led the regiment after the colonel and major fell — and he did
it splendidly, too."

There wras a chorus from the young lady and the boys
together.

" Oh, Hugh, you hear what he says ! " exclaimed the
former, turning to her cousin. " Oh, I am so glad that he
thinks so ! " Then, recollecting that she was paying him
the highest compliment, she suddenly began to blush, and
turned once more to him. " Well, you talk as if you were
surprised. Did you expect anything else ?"

There was a fine scorn in her voice, if it had been
reai

" Certainly not ; you are all too clever at making an
attack," he said coolly, looking her in the eyes. " But I have
heard even of your running away," he added, with a twinkle
in his eyes.

96 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

"When?" she asked quickly, with a little guilty color
deepening in her face as she glanced at the boys. " I never
did."

" Oh, she did ! " exclaimed both boys in a breath, break-
ing in, now that the conversation was within their range.
You ought to have seen her. She just flew / " exclai med
Frank.

The girl made a rush at the offender to stop him.

"He does n't know what he is talking about/1 she said,
roguishly, over her shoulder.

"Yes, he does," called the other. " She was standing at
the foot of the steps when you all came, and — oo — oo —
oo— " the rest was lost as his cousin placed her hand close
over his mouth.

" Here ! here! run away ! You are too dangerous. They
don't know what they are talking about," she said, throw-
ing a glance toward the young officer, who was keenly
enjoying her confusion. Her hand slipped from Willie's
mouth and he went on. "And when she heard it was
you, she just clapped her hands and ran — oo — oo —

umm."

" Here, Hugh, put them out," she said to that young
man, who, glad to do her bidding, seized both miscreants by
their arms and carried them out, closing the door after
them.

Hugh bore the boys into the dining-room, where he kept
them until supper-time.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 97

After supper, the rest of the family dispersed, and the
boys' mother invited them to come with her and Hugh to
her own room, though they were eager to go and see the
General, and were much troubled lest he should think their
mother was rude in leaving him.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE next day was Sunday. The General and Hugh
had but one day to stay. They were to leave at day-
break the following morning. They thoroughly en-
joyed their holiday ; at least the boys knew that Hugh did.
They had never known him so affable with them. They did
not see much of the General, after breakfast. He seemed to
like to stay " stuck up in the house" all the time, talking to
Cousin Belle ; the boys thought this due to his lameness.
Something had occurred, the boys did n't understand just
what ; but the General was on an entirely new footing with
all of them, and their Cousin Belle was in some way con-
cerned in the change. She did not any longer run from the
General, and it seemed to them as though everyone acted as
if he belonged to her. The boys did not altogether like the
state of affairs. That afternoon, however, he and their
Cousin Belle let the boys go out walking with them, and he
was just as hearty as he could be ; he made them tell him
all about capturing the deserter, and about catching the
hogs, and everything they did. They told him all about their
" Robbers' Cave/' down in the woods near where an old
house had stood. It was between two ravines near a spring
they had found. They had fixed up the " cave " with boards
and old pieces of carpet " and everything," and they told

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 99

him, as a secret, how to get to it through the pines without
leaving a trail. He had to give the holy pledge of the
" Brotherhood " before this could be divulged to him ; but
he took it with a solemnity which made the boys almost for-
give the presence of their Cousin Belle. It was a little awk-
ward at first that she was present; but as the " Constitution "
provided only as to admitting men to the mystic knowledge,
saying nothing about women, this difficulty was, on the Gen-
eral's suggestion, passed over, and the boys fully explained
the location of the spot, and how to get there by turning off
abruptly from the path through the big woods right at the
pine thicket, — and ail the rest of the way.

" 'T ain't a ' sure-enough ' cave," explained Willy ; " but
it 's 'most as good as one. The old rock fire-place is just
like a cave."

" The gullies are so deep you can't get there except that
one way," declared Frank.

'* Even the Yankees could n't find you there," asserted
Willy.

" I don't believe anybody could, after that ; but I trust
they will never have to try," laughed their Cousin Belle, with
an anxious look in her bright eyes at the mere thought.

That night they were at supper, about eight o'clock, when
something out-of-doors attracted the attention of the party
around the table. It was a noise, — a something indefina-
ble, but the talk and mirth stopped suddenly, and everybody
listened.

100

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

There was a call, and the hurried steps of some one run-
ning, just outside the door, and Lucy Ann burst into the
room, her face ashy pale.

" The yard's full o' mens — Yankees," she gasped, just as
the General and Hugh rose from the table.

" How many are there ? " asked both gentlemen.

" They 's all 'roun' the house ev'y which a-way."

The General looked at his sweetheart. She came to his
side with a cry.

" Go up stairs to the top of the house," called the boys'
mother.

" We can hide you ; come with us," said the boys.

" Go up the back way, Frank 'n' Willy, to you-all's den,"
whispered Lucy Ann.

" That 's where we are going," said the boys as she went
out.

" You all come on ! " This to the General and Hugh.

" The rest of you take your seats," said the boys' mother.

All this had occupied only a few seconds. The soldiers
followed the boys out by a side-door and dashed up the nar-
row stairs to the second-story just as a thundering knocking
came at the front door. It was as dark as pitch, for candles
were too scarce to burn more than one at a time.

"You run back," said Hugh to the boys, as they groped
along. " There are too many of us. I know the way."

But it was too late ; the noise down stairs told that the
enemy was already in the house !

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 101

As the soldiers left the supper-room, the boys' mother
had hastily removed two plates from the places and set two
chairs back against the wall ; she made the rest fill up the
spaces, so that there was nothing to show that the two men
had been there.

She had hardly taken her seat again, when the sound of
heavy footsteps at the door announced the approach of the
enemy. She herself rose and went to the door ; but it was
thrown open before she reached it and an officer in full Fed-
eral uniform strode in, followed by several men.

The commander was a tall young fellow, not older than
the General. The lady started back somewhat startled, and
there was a confused chorus of exclamations of alarm from
the rest of those at the table. The officer, finding himself in
the presence of ladies, removed his cap with a polite bow.

" I hope, madam, that you ladies will not be alarmed," he
said. "You need be under no apprehension, I assure you."
Even while speaking, his eye had taken a hasty survey of the
room.

" We desire to see General Marshall, who is at present in
this house, and I am sorry to have to include your son in my
requisition. We know that they are here, and if they are
given us, I promise you that nothing shall be disturbed."

" You appear to be so well instructed that I can add little
to your information," said the mistress of the house, haught-
ily. " I am glad to say, however, that I hardly think you
will find them."

102 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Madam, I know they are here," said the young soldier
positively, but with great politeness. " I have positive in-
formation to that effect. They arrived last evening and
have not left since. Their horses are still in the stable. I
am sorry to be forced to do violence to my feelings, but I
must search the house. Come, men."

" I doubt not you have found their horses," began the
lady, but she was interrupted by Lucy Ann, who entered at
the moment with a plate of fresh corn-cakes, and caught the
last part of the sentence.

" Come along, Mister," she said, " I '11 show you myself,"
and she set down her plate, took the candle from the table,
and walked to the door, followed by the soldiers.

" Lucy Ann ! " exclaimed her mistress ; but she was too
much amazed at the girl's conduct to say more.

" I know whar dey is ! " Lucy Ann continued, taking no
notice of her mistress. They heard her say, as she was shut-
ting the door, " Y* all come with me ; I 'feared they gone ;
ef they ain't, I know whar they is ! "

" Open every room," said the officer.

" Oh, yes, sir ; I gwine ketch 'em for you," she said, eagerly
opening first one door, anfd then the other, "that is, ef they
ain' gone. I mighty 'feared they gone. I seen 'em goin' out
the back way about a little while befo' you all come, — but I
thought they might 'a' come back. Mister, ken y' all teck
me 'long with you when you go ? " she asked the officer, i<* a
low voice. " I want to be free."

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 103

" I don't know ; we can some other time, if not now. We
are going to set you all free."

" Oh, glory ! Come 'long, Mister ; let's ketch 'em. They
ain't heah, but I know whar dey is."

The soldiers closely examined every place where it was
possible a man could be concealed, until they had been over
all the lower part of the house.

Lucy Ann stopped. " Dey's gone ! " she said positively.

The officer motioned to her to go up stairs.

" Yes, sir, I wuz jes' goin' tell you we jes' well look up-
stairs, too," she said, leading the way, talking all the timCj
and shading the flickering candle with her hand.

The little group, flat on the floor against the wall in their
dark retreat, could now hear her voice distinctly. She was
speaking in a confidential undertone, as if afraid of being
overheard.

" I wonder I did n't have sense to get somebody to watch
'em when they went out," they heard her say.

" She 's betrayed us !" whispered Hugh.

The General merely said, 4 " Hush," and laid his hand
firmly on the nearest boy to keep him still. Lucy Ann led
the soldiers into the various chambers one after another. At
last she opened the next room, and, through the wall, the
men in hiding heard the soldiers go in and walk about.

They estimated that there were at least half-a-dozen.

"Is n't there a garret?" asked one of the searching
party.

104 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Nor, sir, 't ain't no garret, jes' a loft ; but they ain't up
there/' said Lucy Ann's voice.

" We '11 look for ourselves." They came out of the room.
" Show us the way."

" Look here, if you tell us a lie, we'll hang you ! "

The voice of the officer was very stern.

" I ain' gwine tell you no lie, Mister. What you reckon

I wan* tell you lie for ? Dey ain' in the garret, I know,

Mister, please don't p'int dem things at me. I 's 'feared o'
dem things," said the girl in a slightly whimpering voice ; " I
gwine show you."

She came straight down the passage toward the recess
where the fugitives were huddled, the men after her, their
heavy steps echoing through the house. The boys were
trembling violently. The light, as the searchers came nearer,
fell on the wall, crept along it, until it lighted up the whole
alcove, except where they lay. The boys held their breath.
They could hear their hearts thumping.

Lucy Ann stepped into the recess with her candle, and
looked straight at them.

"They ain't in here," she exclaimed, suddenly putting her
hand up before the flame, as if to prevent it flaring, thus
throwing the alcove once more into darkness. " The trap
door to the garret 's 'roun' that a-way," she said to the sol-
diers, still keeping her position at the narrow entrance, as if
to let them pass. When they had all passed, she followed
them.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 105

The boys began to wriggle with delight, but the General's
strong hand kept them still.

Naturally, the search in the garret proved fruitless, and
the hiding-party heard the squad swearing over their ill-luck
as they came back ; while Lucy Ann loudly lamented not
having sent some one to follow the fugitives, and made a
number of suggestions as to where they had gone, and the
probability of catching them if the soldiers went at once in
pursuit.

" Did you look in here ? " asked a soldier approaching the
alcove.

" Yes, sir ; they ain't in there." She snuffed the candle
out suddenly with her fingers. " Oh, oh ! — my light done
gone out ! Mind ! Let me go in front and show you the
way," she said ; and, pressing before, she once more led them
along the passage.

" Mind yo' steps ; ken you see ? " she asked.

They went down stairs, while Lucy Ann gave them minute
directions as to how they might catch " Marse Hugh an' the
Gen'l " at a certain place a half-mile from the house (an un-
occupied quarter), which she carefully described.

A further investigation ensued downstairs, but in a little
while the searchers went out of the house. Their tone had
changed since their disappointment, and loud threats floated
up the dark stairway to the prisoners still crouching in the
little recess.

In a few minutes the boys' Cousin Belle came rushing
up stairs.

106 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Now's your time ! Come quick," she called ; " they will
be back directly. Is n't she an angel ! " The whole party
sprang to their feet, and ran down to the lower floor.

" Oh, we were so frightened ! " " Don't let them see
you." " Make haste," were the exclamations that greeted
them as the two soldiers said their good-byes and prepared to
leave the house.

" Go out by the side-door ; that 's your only chance.
It 's pitch-dark, and the bushes will hide you. But where are
you going ? "

'•' We are going to the boys* cave," said the General, buck-
ling on his pistol ; " I know the way, and we '11 get away as
soon as these fellows leave, if we cannot before."

" God bless you ! " said the ladies, pushing them away in
dread of the enemy's return.

"Come on, General," called Hugh in an undertone. The
General was lagging behind a minute to say good-bye once
more. He stooped suddenly and kissed the boys' Cousin
Belle before them all.

" Good-bye. God bless you ! " and he followed Hugh
out of the window into the darkness. The girl burst into
tears and ran up to her room.

A few seconds afterward the house was once more filled
with the enemy, growling at their ill-luck in having so nar-
rowly missed the prize.

" We '11 catch 'em yet," said the leader.

CHAPTER XV.

THE raiders were up early next morning scouring the
woods and country around. They knew that the fugi-
tive soldiers could not have gone far, for the Federals
had every road picketed, and their main body was aot far
away. As the morning wore on, it became a grave question
at Oakland how the two soldiers were to subsist. They
had no provisions with them, and the roads were so closely
watched that there was no chance of their obtaining any.
The matter was talked over, and the boys' mother and Cousin
Belle were in despair.

''They can eat their shoes," said Willy» reflectively.

The ladies exclaimed in horron

" That's what men always do when they get lost in a wil-
derness where there is no game,"

This piece of information from Willy did not impress his
hearers as much as he supposed it would.

" I '11 tell you ! Let me and Frank go and carry 'em
something to eat ! "

" How do you know where they are ? "

"They are at our Robber's Cave, are n't they, Cousin
Belle ? We told the General yesterday how to get there,
did n't we?"

io8 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Yes, and he said last night that he would go there."

Willy's idea seemed a good one, and the offer was
accepted. The boys were to go out as if to see the troops,
and were to take as much food as they thought could pass
for their luncheon. Their mother cooked and put up a
luncheon large enough to have satisfied the appetites of two
young Brobdingnagians, and they set out on their relief expe-
dition.

The two sturdy little figures looked full of importance as
they strode off up the road. They carried many loving mes-
sages. Their Cousin Belle gave to each separately a long
whispered message which each by himself was to deliver to
the General. It was thought best not to hazard a note.

They were watched by the ladies from the portico until
they disappeared over the hill. They took a path which
led into the woods, and walked cautiously for fear some of
the raiders might be lurking about. However, the boys saw
none of the enemy, and in a little while they came to a
point where the pines began. Then they turned into the
woods, for the pines were so thick the boys could not be seen,
and the pine tags made it so soft under foot that they could
walk without making any noise.

They were pushing their way through the bushes, when
Frank suddenly stopped.

" Hush !" he said.

Willy halted and listened.

" There they are."

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 109

From a little distance to one side, in the direction of the
path they had just left, they heard the trampling of a num-
ber of horses' feet.

" That's not our men," said Willy. " Hugh and the
General have n't any horses."

" No ; that's the Yankees," said Frank. " Let's lie down.
They may hear us."

The boys flung themselves upon the ground and almost
held their breath until the horses had passed out of hearing.

" Do you reckon they are hunting for us ? " asked Willy
in an awed whisper.

" No, for Hugh and the General. Come on."

They rose, went tipping a little deeper into the pines, and
again made their way toward the cave.

" Maybe they 've caught 'em," suggested Willy.

" They can't catch 'em in these pines," replied Frank.
" You can't see any distance at all. A horse can't get through,
and the General and Hugh could shoot 'em, and then get
away before they could catch 'em."

They hurried on.

" Frank, suppose they take us for Yankees ? "

Evidently Willy's mind had been busy since Frank's last
speech.

" They are n't going to shoot us" said Frank ; but it was
an unpleasant suggestion, for they were not very far from
the dense clump of pines between two gullies, which the
boys called their cave.

no TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

"We can whistle," he said, presently.

" Won't Hugh and the General think we are enemies
trying to surround d^em ? " Willy objected. The dilemma
was a serious or? a. "We '11 have to crawl up," said Frank,
after a pause.

And this was agreed upon. They were soon on the edge
of the deep gully which, on one side, protected the spot from
all approach. They scrambled down its steep side and began
to creep along, peeping over its other edge from time to
time, to see if they could discover the clearing which marked
the little green spot on top of the hill, where once had stood
an old cabin. The base of the ruined chimney, with its im-
mense fire-place, constituted the boys' " cave." They were
close to it, now, and felt themselves to be in imminent dan-
ger of a sweeping fusillade. They had just crept up to the
top of the ravine and were consulting, when some one imme-
diately behind them, not twenty feet away, called out :

" Hello! What are you boys doing here ? Are you try-
ing to capture us ? "

They jumped at the unexpected voice. The General
broke into a laugh. He had been sitting on the ground on
the other side of the declivity, and had been watching their
manoeuvres for some time.

He brought them to the house-spot where Hugh was
asleep on the ground; he had been on watch all the morn-
ing, and, during the General's turn, was making up for his
lost sleep. He was soon wide awake enough, and he and

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. in

the General, with appetites bearing witness to their long fast,
were without delay engaged in disposing of the provisions
which the boys had brought.

The boys were delighted with the mystery of their sur-
roundings. Each in turn took the General aside and held a
long interview with him, and gave him all their Cousin
Belle's messages. No one had ever treated them with such
consideration as the General showed them. The two men
asked the boys all about the dispositions of the enemy, but
the boys had little to tell.

" They are after us pretty hotly," said the General. "I
think they are going away shortly. It 's nothing but a raid,
and they are moving on. We must get back to camp to-
night."

" How are you going?" asked the boys. "You have n't
any horses."

" We are going to get some of their horses," said the offi-
cer. ** They have taken ours — now they must furnish us with
others."

It was about time for the boys to start for home. The
General took each of them aside, and talked for a long time,
He was speaking to Willy, on the edge of the clearing, when
there was a crack of a twig in the pines. In a second he had
laid the boy on his back in the soft grass and whipped out a
pistol. Then, with a low, quick call to Hugh, he sprang
swiftly into the pines toward the sound.

"Crawl down into the ravine, boys," called Hugh, follow-

H2 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

ing his companion. The boys rolled down over the bank
like little ground-hogs ; but in a second they heard a familiar
drawling voice call out in a subdued tone :

" Hold on, Gunnel ! it 's nobody but me ; don't you know
me?" And, in a moment, they heard the General's aston-
ished and somewhat stern reply :

" Mills, what are you doing here? Who's with you?
What do you want?"

" Well," said the new-comer, slowly, " I 'lowed I 'd come
to see if I could be o' any use to you. I heard the Yankees
had run you 'way from Oakland last night, and was sort o'
huntin' for you. Fact is, they 's been up my way, and I sort
o' 'lowed I 'd come an* see ef I could help you git back to
camp."

" Where have you been all this time ? I wonder you are
not ashamed to look me in the face !"

The General's voice was still stern. He had turned
around and walked back to the cleared space.

The deserter scratched his head in perplexity.

" I need n' 'a' come," he said, doggedly. " Where 's them
boys? I don' want the boys hurted. I seen 'em comin'
here, an* I jes' followed 'em to see they did n't get in no
trouble. But "

This speech about the boys effected what the offer of per-
sonal service to the General himself had failed to bring about

"Sit down and let me talk to you," said the General,
throwing himself on the grass.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 113

Mills seated himself cross-legged near the officer, with his
gun across his knees, and began to bite a straw which he
pulled from a tuft by his side.

The boys had come up out of their retreat, and taken
places on each side of the General.

"You all take to grass like young partridges," said the
hunter. The boys were flattered, for they considered any
notice from him a compliment.

" What made you fool us, and send us to catch that con-
script-guard ? " Frank asked.

" Well, you ketched him, did n't you ? You 're the only
ones ever been able to ketch him," he said, with a low chuckle.

" Now, Mills, you know how things stand," said the Gen-
eral. " It 's a shame for you to have been acting this way.
You know what people say about you. But if you come
back to camp and do your duty, I '11 have it all straightened
out. If you don't, I '11 have you shot."

His voice was as calm and his manner as composed
as if he were promising the man opposite him a reward
for good conduct. He looked Mills steadily in the eyes all
the time. The boys felt as if their friend were about to be
executed. The General seemed an immeasurable distance
above them.

The deserter blinked twice or thrice, slowly bit his shred
of straw, looked casually first toward one boy and then to-
ward the other, but without the slightest change of expres-
sion in his face.

II4 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Cun'l," he said, at length, " I ain't no deserter. I ain't
feared of bein' shot. Ef I was, I would n' 'a* come hero
now. I 'm gwine wid you, an* I 'm gwine back to my com-
pany ; an* I 'm gwine fight, ef Yankees gits in my way ; but
ef I gits tired, I 's comin' home ; an' tain't no use to tell you
I ain't, 'cause I is, — an' ef anybody flings up to me that I 's
a-runnin' away, I 'm gwine to kill 'em ! "

He rose to his feet in the intensity of his feeling, and his
eyes, usually so dull, were like live coals.

The General looked at him quietly a few seconds, then
himself arose and laid his hand on Tim Mills' shoulder.

" All right," he said.

" I got a little snack M'lindy put up," said Mills, pulling
a substantial bundle out of his game-bag. " I 'lowed maybe
you might be sort o' hongry. Jes' two or three squirrels
I shot," he said, apologetically.

" You boys better git 'long home, I reckon," said Mills
to Willy. " You ain* 'fraid, is you ? 'Cause if you is, I '11 go
with you."

His voice had resumed its customary drawl.

" Oh, no," said both boys, eagerly. " We are n't afraid."

" An' tell your ma I ain' let nobody tetch nothin' on the
Oakland plantation ; not sence that day you all went huntin'
deserters ; not if I knowed 'bout it."

-Yes, sir."

" An* tell her I 'm gwine take good keer o' Hugh an* the
Gunnel. Good-bye ! — now run along ! "

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 115

" All right, sir, — good-bye."

" An' ef you hear anybody say Tim Mills is a d'serter, tell
'em it 's a lie, an* you know it. Good-bye." He turned away
as if relieved.

The boys said good-bye to all three, and started in the
direction of home.

CHAPTER XVI.

AFTER crossing the gully, and walking on through the
woods for what they thought a safe distance, they
turned into the path.

They were talking very merrily about the General and
Hugh and their friend Mills, and were discussing some ro-
mantic plan for the recapture of their horses from the enemy,
when they came out of the path into the road, and found
themselves within twenty yards of a group of Federal sol-
diers, quietly sitting on their horses, evidently guarding the
road.

The sight of the blue-coats made the boys jump. They
would have crept back, but it was too late — they caught the
eye of the man nearest them. They ceased talking as
suddenly as birds in the trees stop chirruping when the hawk
sails over ; and when one Yankee called to them, in a stern
tone, " Halt there ! " and started to come toward them, their
hearts were in their mouths.

" Where are you boys going ? " he asked, as he came up
to them.

" Going home."

" Where do you belong ? *

MOver there — at Oakland," pointing in the direction of

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. n?

their home, which seemed suddenly to have moved a thou-
and miles aways.

" Where have you been ? " The other soldiers had come
up now.

" Been down this way." The boys' voices were never so
meek before. Each reply was like an apology.

'* Been to see your brother ? " asked one who had .. Jt
spoken before — a pleasant-looking fellow. The boys looked
at him. They were paralyzed by dread of the approaching
question.

" Now, boys, we know where you have been," said a small
fellow, who wore a yellow chevron on his arm. He had a
thin moustache and a sharp nose, and rode a wiry, dull sorrel
horse. " You may just as well tell us all about it. We know
you Ve been to see 'em, and we are going to make you carry
us where they are."

" No, we ain't," said Frank, doggedly.

Willy expressed his determination also.

" If you don't it 's going to be pretty bad for you," said
the little corporal. He gave an order to two of the men,
who sprang from their horses, and, catching Frank, swung
him up behind another cavalryman. The boy's face was very
pale, but he bit his lip.

" Go ahead," — continued the corporal to a number of his
men, who started down the path. "You four men remain
here till we come back," he said to the men on the ground,
and to two others on horseback. " Keep him here," jerking

ii8 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

his thumb toward Willy, whose face was already burning
with emotion.

" I 'm going with Frank," said Willy. " Let me go."
This to the man who had hold of him by the arm. " Frank,
make him let me go," he shouted, bursting into tears, and
turning on his captor with all his little might.

" Willy, he 's not goin' to hurt you, — don't you tell ! "
called Frank, squirming until he dug his heels so into the
horse's flanks that the horse began to kick up.

" Keep quiet, Johnny ; he 's not goin' to hurt him," said
one of the men, kindly. He had a brown beard and shin-
ing white teeth.

They rode slowly down the narrow path, the dragoon
holding Frank by the leg. Deep down in the woods, beyond
a small branch, the path forked.

"Which way ?" asked the corporal, stopping and address-
ing Frank.

Frank set his mouth tight and looked him in the eyes.

" Which is it ? " the corporal repeated.

" I ain't going to tell," said he, firmly.

" Look here, Johnny ; we Ve got you, and we are going
to make you tell us ; so you might just as well do it, easy.
If you don't, we 're goin' to make you."

The boy said nothing.

" You men dismount. Stubbs, hold the horses." He
himself dismounted, and three others did the same, giving
their horses to a fourth.

THE BOY FACED HIS CAPTOR, WHO HELD A STRAP IN ONE HAND.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" Get down ? " — this to Frank and the soldier behind
whom he was riding. The soldier dismounted, and the boy
slipped off after him and faced his captor, who held a strap in
one hand.

" Are you goin' to tell us ?" he asked.

" No."

" Don't you know ? " He came a step nearer, and held
the strap forward. There was a long silence. The boy's
face paled perceptibly, but took on a look as if the proceed-
ings were indifferent to him.

"If you say you don't know " — said the man, hesitating
in face of the boy's resolution. " Don't you know where
they are ? "

" Yes, I know ; but I ain't goin' to tell you," said Frank,
bursting into tears.

"The little Johnny 's game/' said the soldier who had told
him the others were not going to hurt Willy. The corporal
said something to this man in an undertone, to which he
replied :

" You can try, but it is n't going to do any good. I don't
half like it, anyway."

Frank had stopped crying after his first outburst.

"If you don't tell, we are going to shoot you," said the
little soldier, drawing his pistol.

The boy shut his mouth close, and looked straight at the
corporal. The man laid down his pistol, and, seizing Frank,
drew his hands behind him, and tied them.

122 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

"Get ready, men," he said, as he drew the boy aside to a
small tree, putting him with his back to it.

Frank thought his hour had come. He thought of his
mother and Willy, and wondered if the soldiers would shoot
Willy, too. His face twitched and grew ghastly white. Then
he thought of his father, and of how proud he would be of
his son's bravery when he should hear of it. This gave him
strength.

" The knot — hurts my hands," he said.

The man leaned over and eased it a little.

" I was n't crying because I was scared," said Frank.

The kind looking fellow turned away.

" Now, boys, get ready," said the corporal, taking up his
pistol.

How large it looked to Frank. He wondered where the
bullets would hit him, and if the wounds would bleed, and
whether he would be left alone all night out there in the
woods, and if his mother would come and kiss him.

" I want to say my prayers," he said, faintly.

The soldier made some reply which he could not hear,
and the man with the beard started forward ; but just then
all grew dark before his eyes.

Next, he thought he must have been shot, for he felt wet
about his face, and was lying down. He heard some one say,
" He 's coming to ;" and another replied, " Thank God ! "

He opened his eyes. He was lying beside the little
branch with his head in the lap of the big soldier with the

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 123

beard, and the little corporal was leaning over him throwing
water in his face from a cap. The others were standing
around.

"What 's the matter ?" asked Frank.

"That 's all right," said the little corporal, kindly. "We
were just a-foolin' a bit with you, Johnny."

" We never meant to hurt you," said the other. " You
feel better now ? ''

" Yes, where 's Willy ? " He was too tired to move.

" He 's all right. We '11 take you to him."

" Am I shot ? " asked Frank.

" No ! Do you think we 'd have touched a hair of your
head — and you such a brave little fellow ? We were just try-
ing to scare you a bit and carried it too far, and you got a
little faint, — that 's all."

The voice was so kindly that Frank was encouraged to sit
up.

" Can you walk now ? " asked the corporal, helping him
and steadying him as he rose to his feet.

" I '11 take him," said the big fellow, and before the boy
could move, he had stooped, taken Frank in his arms, and
was carrying him back toward the place where they had left
Willy, while the others followed after with the horses.

" I can walk," said Frank.

" No, I '11 carry you, b-bless your heart ! "

The boy did not know that the big dragoon was looking
down at the light hair resting on his arm, and that while he

I24 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

trod the Virginia wood-path, in fancy he was home ill Dela-
ware ; or that the pressure the boy felt from his strong arms,
was a caress given for the sake of another boy far away on
the Brandywine. A little while before they came in sight
Frank asked to be put down.

The soldier gently set him on his feet, and before he let
him go kissed him.

" I Ve got a curly-headed fellow at home, just the size of
you," he said softly.

Frank saw that his eyes were moist. " I hope you '11 get
safe back to him," he said.

" God grant it ! " said the soldier.

When they reached the squad at the gate, they found
Willy still in much distress on Frank's account ; but he wiped
his eyes when his brother reappeared, and listened with pride
to the soldiers' praise of Frank's " grit " as they called it.
When they let the boys go, the little corporal wished Frank to
accept a five-dollar gold piece ; but he politely declined it.

CHAPTER XVII.

TH E story of Frank's adventure and courage was the talk
of all the Oakland plantation. His mother and Cousin
Belle both kissed him and called him their little hero.
Willy also received a full share of praise for his courage.

About noon there was great commotion among the troops.
They were far more numerous than they had been in the
morning, and instead of riding about the woods in small
bodies, hunting for the concealed soldiers, they were collect-
ing together and preparing to move.

It was learned that a considerable body of cavalry was
passing down the road by Trinity Church, and that the depot
had been burnt again the night before. Somehow, a rumor
got about that the Confederates were following up the
raiders.

In an hour most of the soldiers went away, but a number
still stayed on. Their horses were picketed about the yard
feeding ; and they themselves lounged around, making them-
selves at home in the house, and pulling to pieces the things
that were left. They were not, however, as wanton in their
destruction as the first set, who had passed by the year
before.

Among those who yet remained were the little corporal,

i26 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

and the big young" soldier who had been so kind to Frank.
They were in the rear-guard. At length the last man rode
off.

The boys had gone in and out among them, without being
molested. Now and then some rough fellow would swear at
them, but for the most part their intercourse with the boys
was friendly. When, therefore, they rode off,* the boys were
allowed by their mother to go and see the main body.

Peter and Cole were with them. They took the main
road and followed along, picking up straps, and cartridges,
and all those miscellaneous things dropped by a large body
of troops as they pass along.

• Cartridges were very valuable, as they furnished the only
powder and shot the boys could get for hunting, and their
supply was out. These were found in unusual numbers.
The boys filled their pockets, and finally filled their sleeves,
tying them tightly at the wrist with strings, so that the
contents would not spill out. One of the boys found even
an old pistol, which was considered a great treasure. He
bore it proudly in his belt, and was envied by all the others.

It was quite late in the afternoon when they thought of
turning toward home, their pockets and sleeves bagging down
with the heavy musket-cartridges. They left the Federal
rear-guard feeding their horses at a great white pile of corn
which had been thrown out of the corn-house of a neighbor,
and was scattered all over the ground.

They crossed a field, descended a hill, and took the main

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 127

road at its foot, just as a body of cavalry came in sight. A
small squad, riding some little distance in advance of the main
body, had already passed by. These were Confederates.
The first man they saw, at the head of the column by the
colonel, was the General, and a little behind him was none
other than Hugh on a gray roan ; while not far down the
column rode their friend Tim Mills, looking rusty and sleepy
as usual.

"Goodness! Why here are the General and Hugh!
How in the world did you get away ? " exclaimed the boys.

They learned that it was a column of cavalry following
the line of the raid, and that the General and Hugh had met
them and volunteered. The soldiers greeted the boys cor-
dially.

" The Yankees are right up there," said the youngsters.

"Where? How many? What are they doing?" asked
the General.

" A whole pack of 'em — right up there at the stables, and
all about, feeding their horses and sitting all around, and
ever so many more have gone along down the road."

" Fling the fence down there ! " The boys pitched down
the rails in two or three places. An order was passed back,
and in an instant a stir of preparation was noticed all down
the line of horsemen.

A courier galloped up the road to recall the advance-
guard. The head of the column passed through the gap,
and, without waiting for the others, dashed up the hill at a

,28 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

gallop — the General and the colonel a score of yards ahead
of any of the others.

" Let's go and see the fight ! " cried the boys ; and the
whole set started back up the hill as fast as their legs could
carry them.

" S'pose they shoot ! Won't they shoot us?" asked one
of the negro boys, in some apprehension. This, though
before unthought of, was a possibility, and for a moment
brought them down to a slower pace.

" We can lie flat and peep over the top of the hill." This
was Frank's happy thought, and the party started ahead again.
" Let's go around that way." They made a little detour.

Just before they reached the crest they heard a shot,
" bang ! " immediately followed by another, " bang ! " and in
a second more a regular volley began, and was kept up.

They reached the crest of the hill in time to see the Con-
federates gallop up the slope toward the stables, firing their
pistols at the blue-coats, who were forming in the edge of a
little wood, over beyond a fence, from the other side of which
the smoke of their carbines was rolling. They had evidently
started on just as the boys left, and before the Confederates
came in sight.

The boys saw their friends dash at this fence, and could
distinguish the General and Hugh, who were still in the
lead. Their horses took the fence, going over like birds,
and others followed, — Tim Mills among them, — while yet
more went through a gate a few yards to one side.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 129

" Look at Hugh ! Look at Hugh ! "

" Look ! That horse has fallen down ! " cried one of the
boys, as a horse went down just at the entrance of the wood,
rolling over his rider.

" He's shot ! " exclaimed Frank, for neither horse nor
rider attempted to rise.

" See ; they are running ! "

The little squad of blue-coats were retiring into the woods,
with the grays closely pressing them.

(l Let 's cut across and see 'em run 'em over the bridge."

" Come on ! "

All the little group of spectators, white and black, started
as hard as they could go for a path they knew, which led by
a short cut through the little piece of woods. Beyond lay a
field divided by a stream, a short distance on the other side of
which was a large body of woods.

The popping was still going on furiously in the woods, and
bullets were " zoo-ing " over the fields. But the boys could
not see anything, and they did not think about the flying
balls.

They were all excitement at the idea of " our men "
whipping the enemy, and they ran with all their might to
be in time to see them "chase 'em across the field."

The road on which the skirmish took place, and down
which the Federal rear-guard had retreated, made a sharp
curve beyond the woods, around the bend of a little stream
crossed by a small bridge ; and the boys, in taking the short

I3o TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

cut, had placed the road between themselves and home ; but
they did not care about that, for their men were driving the
others. They " just wanted to see it."

They reached the edge of the field in time to see that
the Yankees were on the other side of the stream. They
knew them to be where puffs of smoke came out of the oppo-
site wood. And the Confederates had stopped beyond the
bridge, and were halted, in some confusion, in the field.

The firing was very sharp, and bullets were singing in
every direction. Then the Confederates got together, and
went as hard as they could right at them up to the wood, all
along the edge of which the smoke was pouring in continuous
puffs and with a rattle of shots. They saw several horses fall
as the Confederates galloped on, but the smoke hid most of
it. Next they saw a long line of fire appear in the smoke on
both sides of the road, where it entered the wood ; then the
Confederates stopped, and became all mixed up ; a number of
horses galloped away without their riders, another line of
white and red flame came out of the woods, the Confeder-
ates began to come back, leaving many horses on the ground,
and a body of cavalry in blue coats poured out of the wood
in pursuit.

" Look ! look ! They are running — they are beating our
men ! " exclaimed the boys. " They have driven 'em back
across the bridge ! "

" How many of them there are !"

" What shall we do ? Suppose they see us ! "

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 133

" Come on, Mah'srs Frank 'n' Willy, let 's go home," said
the colored boys. " They '11 shoot us."

The fight was now in the woods which lay between the
boys and their home. But just then the gray-coats got
together, again turned at the edge of the wood, and dashed
back on their pursuers, and — the smoke and bushes on the
stream hid everything. In a second more both emerged on
the other side of the smoke and went into the woods on the
further edge of the field, all in confusion, and leaving on the
ground more horses and men than before.

" What 's them things * zip-zippin ' 'round my ears ?" asked
one of the negro boys.

" Bullets," said Frank, proud of his knowledge.

" Will they hurt me if they hit me ? "

" Of course they will. They '11 kill you."

" I 'm gwine home," said the boy, and off he started at a
trot.

"Hold on! — We're goin', too; but let's go down this
way ; this is the best way."

They went along the edge of the field, toward the point
m the road where the skirmish had been and where the Con-
federates had rallied. They stopped to listen to the popping
in the woods on the other side, and were just saying how glad
they were that " our men had whipped them," when a soldier
came along.

" What in the name of goodness are you boys doing
here ? " he asked.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" We 're just looking on an' lis'ning," answered the boys
meekly.

" Well, you fd better be getting home as fast as you can.
They are too strong for us, and they '11 be driving us back
directly, and some of you may get killed or run over."

This was dreadful ! Such an idea had never occurred to
the boys. A panic took possession of them.

" Come on ! Let 's go home ! " This was the universal
idea, and in a second the whole party were cutting straight
for home, utterly stampeded.

They could readily have found shelter and security back
over the hill, from the flying balls ; but they preferred to get
home, and they made straight for it. The popping of the
guns, which still kept up in the woods across the little river
now meant to them that the victorious Yankees were driving
back their friends. They believed that the bullets which
now and then yet whistled over the woods with a long, sing-
ing "zooee," were aimed at them. For their lives, then
they ran, expecting to be killed every minute.

The load of cartridges in their pockets, which they had
earned for hours, weighed them down. As they ran they
threw these out. Then followed those in their sleeves.
Frank and the other boys easily got rid of theirs, but Willy
had tied the strings around his wrists in such hard knots
that he could not possibly untie them. He was falling
behind.

Frank heard him call. Without slacking his speed he

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 135

looked back over his shoulder. Willy's face was red, and his
mouth was twitching. He was sobbing a little, and was tear-
ing at the strings with his teeth as he ran. Then the strings
came loose one after the other, the cartridges were shaken
out over the ground, and Willy's face at once cleared up as
he ran forward lightened of his load.

They had passed almost through the narrow skirt of
woods where the first attack was made, when they heard some
one not far from the side of the road call, " Water ! "

The boys stopped. "What 's that?" they asked each
other in a startled undertone. A groan came from the same
direction, and a voice said, " Oh, for some water ! "

A short, whispered consultation was held.

" He 's right up on that bank. There 's a road up there."

Frank advanced 'a little ; a man was lying somewhat
propped up against a tree. His eyes were closed, and there
was a ghastly wound in his head.

" Willy, it 's a Yankee, and he 's shot."

" Is he dead ?" asked the others, in awed voices.

" No. Let 's ask him if he 's hurt much."

They all approached him. His eyes were shut and his
face was ashy white.

" Willy, it 's my Yankee ! " exclaimed Frank.

The wounded man moved his hand at the sound of the
voices.

" Water," he murmured. " Bring me water, for pity's
sake ! "

136 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

" I '11 get you some, — don't you know me ? Let me have
your canteen," said Frank, stooping and taking hold of the
canteen. It was held by its strap ; but the boy whipped out
a knife and cut it loose.

The man tried to speak; but the boys could not under-
stand him.

" Where are you goin* get it, Frank ?" asked the other boys.

" At the branch down there that runs into the creek."

" The Yankees '11 shoot you down there," objected Peter
and Willy.

" /ain' gwine that way," said Cole.

The soldier groaned.

"/'// go with you, Frank," said Willy, who could not
stand the sight of the man's suffering.

" We '11 be back directly."

The two boys darted off, the others following them at a
little distance. They reached the open field. The shooting
was still going on in the woods on the other side, but they
no longer thought of it. They ran down the hill and dashed
across the little flat to the branch at the nearest point, washed
the blood from the canteen, and filled it with the cool water.

" I wish we had something to wash his face with," sighed
Willy, " but I have n't got a handkerchief."

" Neither have I." Willy looked thoughtful. A second
more and he had stripped off his light sailor's jacket and
dipped it in the water. The next minute the two boys were
running up the hill again.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 137

When they reached the spot where the wounded man lay,
he had slipped down and was flat on the ground. His feeble
voice still called for water, but was much weaker than before.
Frank stooped and held the canteen to the man's lips, and he
drank. Then Willy and Frank, together, bathed his face
with the still dripping cotton jacket. This revived him some-
what ; but he did not recognize them and talked incoherently.
They propped up his head.

" Frank, it 's getting mighty late, and we Ve got to go
home," said Willy.

The boys' voice or words reached the ears of the wounded
man.

" Take me home," he murmured ; " I want some water
from the well by the dairy."

" Give him some more water."

Willy lifted the canteen. " Here it is."

The soldier swallowed with difficulty.

He could not raise his hand now. There was a pause.
The boys stood around, looking down on him. " I Ve come
back home," he said. His eyes were closed.

" He 's dreaming," whispered Willy.

" Did you ever see anybody die ?" asked Frank, in a low
tone.

Willy's face paled.

" No, Frank ; let 's go home and tell somebody."

Frank stooped and touched the soldier's face. He was
talking all the time now, though they could not understand

I38 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

everything he said. The boy's touch seemed to rouse
him.

" It 's bedtime," he said, presently. " Kneel down and
say your prayers for Father."

" Willy, let 's say our prayers for him/' whispered
Frank.

11 1 can say, * Now I lay me/ ' But before he could
begin,

"'Now I lay me down to sleep/ "said the soldier ten-
derly. The boys followed him, thinking he had heard them.
They did not know that he was saying — for one whom but
that morning he had called "his curly-head at home" —the
prayer that is common to Virginia and to Delaware, to North
and to South, and which no wars can silence and no victories
cause to be forgotten.

The soldier's voice now was growing almost inaudible.
He spoke between long-drawn breaths.

" ' If I should die before I wake/ "

" ' If I should die before I wake/ " they repeated, and
continued the prayer.

" * And this I ask for Jesus' sake/ " said the boys, ending.
There was a long pause. Frank stroked the pale face softly
with his hand.

" ' And this I ask for Jesus' sake, " whispered the lips.
Then, very softly, " Kiss me good-night."

" Kiss him, Frank."

The boy stooped over and kissed the lips that had kissed

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 139

him in the morning. Willy kissed him, also. The lips
moved in a faint smile.

" God bless "

The boys waited, — but that was all. The dusk settled
down in the woods. The prayer was ended.

"He 's dead," said Frank, in deep awe.

"Frank, are n't you mighty sorry?" asked Willy in a
trembling voice. Then he suddenly broke out crying.

" I don't want him to die ! I don't want him to die! "

CHAPTER XVIII.

WHEN the boys reached home it was pitch-dark.
They found their mother very anxious about them.
They gave an account of the " battle," as they called
it, telling all about the charge, in which, by their statement,
the General and Hugh did wonderful deeds. Their mother
and Cousin Belle sat and listened with tightly folded hands
and blanched faces.

Then they told how they found the wounded Yankee sol-
dier on the bank, and about his death. They were startled
by seeing their Cousin Belle suddenly fall on her knees and
throw herself across their mother's lap in a passion of tears.
Their mother put her arms around the young girl, kissed and
soothed her.

Early the next morning their mother had an ox-cart (the
only vehicle left on the place,) sent down to the spot to bring
the body of the soldier up to Oakland, so that it might be
buried in the grave-yard there. Carpenter William made the
coffin, and several men were set to work to dig the grave in
the garden.

It was about the middle of the day when the cart came
back. A sheet covered the body. The little cortege was a
very solemn one, the steers pulling slowly up the hill and a
man walking on each side. Then the body was put into the

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. i4I

coffin and reverently carried to the grave. The'boys' mother
read the burial service out of the prayer-book, and afterward
Uncle William Slow offered a prayer. Just as they were
about to turn away, the boys' mother began to sing, " Abide
with me ; fast falls the eventide." She and Cousin Belle and
the boys sang the hymn together, and then all walked sadly
away, leaving the fresh mound in the garden, where birds
peeped curiously from the lilac-bushes at the soldier's grave
in the warm light of the afternoon sun.

A small packet of letters and a gold watch and chain,
found in the soldier's pocket, were sealed up by the boys'
mother and put in her bureau drawer, for they could not then
be sent through the lines. There was one letter, however,
which they buried with him. It contained two locks of hair,
one gray, the other brown and curly.

The next few months brought nc new incidents, but the
following year deep gloom fell upon Oakland. It was not
only that the times were harder than they had ever been—
though the plantation was now utterly destitute ; there were
no provisions and no crops, for there were no teams. It was
not merely that a shadow was settling down on all the land ;
for the boys did not trouble themselves about these things,
though such anxieties were bringing gray hairs to their
mother's temples.

The General had been wounded and captured during a
cavalry-fight. The boys somehow connected their Cousin

i42 • TWO LI'lTLE CONFEDERATES.

Belle with the General's capture, and looked on her with some
disfavor. She and the General had quarrelled a short time
before, and it was known that she had returned his ring.
When, therefore, he was shot through the body and taken by
the enemy, the boys could not admit that their cousin had
any right to stay up-stairs in her own room weeping about it.
They felt that it was all her own fault, and they told her so ;
whereupon she simply burst out crying and ran from the
room.

The hard times grew harder. The shadow deepened.
Hugh was wounded and captured in a charge at Petersburg,
and it was not known whether he was badly hurt or not.
Then came the news that Richmond had been evacuated.
The boys knew that this was a defeat ; but even then they
did not believe that the Confederates were beaten. Their
mother was deeply affected by the news.

That night at least a dozen of the negroes disappeared.
The other servants said the missing ones had gone to Rich-
mond " to get their papers."

A week or so later the boys heard the rumor that General
Lee had surrendered at a place called Appomattox. When
they came home and told their mother what they had heard,
she turned as pale as death, arose, and went into her cham-
ber. The news was corroborated next day. During the fol-
lowing two days, every negro on the plantation left, excepting
lame old Sukey Brown. Some of them came and said they
had to go to Richmond, that " the word had come " for them.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 143

Others, including even Uncle Balla and Lucy Ann, slipped
away by night.

After that their mother had to cook, and the boys milked
and did the heavier work. The cooking was not much
trouble, however, for black-eyed pease were about all they
had to eat.

One afternoon, the second day after the news of Lee's
surrender, the boys, who had gone to drive up the cows to
be milked, saw two horsemen, one behind the other, coming
slowly down the road on the far hill. The front horse was
white, and, as their father rode a white horse, they ran
toward the house to carry the news. Their mother and
Cousin Belle, however, having seen the horsemen, were
waiting on the porch as the men came through the middle
gate and rode across the field.

It was their father and his body-servant, Ralph, who had
been with him all through the war. They came slowly up
the hill ; the horses limping and fagged, the riders dusty and
drooping.

It seemed like a funeral. The boys were near the steps,
and their mother stood on the portico with her forehead rest-
ing against a pillar. No word was spoken. Into the yard
they rode at a walk, and up to the porch. Then their father,
who had not once looked up, put both hands to his face,
slipped from his horse, and walked up the steps, tears run-
ning down his cheeks, and took their mother into his arms.
It was a funeral — the Confederacy was dead.

i44 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

A little later, their father, who had been in the house,
came out on the porch near where Ralph still stood holding
the horses.

" Take off the saddles, Ralph, and turn the horses out,"
he said.

Ralph did so.

" Here, — here 's my last dollar. You have been a faith-
ful servant to me. Put the saddles on the porch." It was
done. " You are free," he said to the black, and then he
walked back into the house.

Ralph stood where he was for some minutes without mov-
ing a muscle. His eyes blinked mechanically. Then he
looked at the door and at the windows above him. Suddenly
he seemed to come to himself. Turning slowly, he walked
solemnly out of the yard.

CHAPTER XIX.

THE boys' Uncle William came the next day. The two
weeks which followed were the hardest the boys had
ever known. As yet nothing had been heard of Hugh
or the General, though the boys' father went to Richmond to
see whether they had been released.

The family lived on corn-bread and black-eyed pease.
There was not a mouthful of meat on the plantation. A few
aged animals were all that remained on the place.

The boys' mother bought a little sugar and made some
cakes, and the boys, day after day, carried them over to the
depot and left them with a man there to be sold. Such a
thing had never been known before in the history of the
family.

A company of Yankees were camped very near, but they
did not interfere with the boys. They bought the cakes and
paid for them in greenbacks, which were the first new money
they had at Oakland. One day the boys were walking along
the road, coming back from the camp, when they met a little
old one-horse wagon driven by a man who lived near the
depot. In it were a boy about Willy's size and an old lady
with white hair, both in deep mourning. The boy was better
dressed than any boy they had ever seen. They were
strangers.

146

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

The boys touched their limp little hats to the lady, and
felt somewhat ashamed of their own patched clothes in the
presence of the well-dressed stranger. Frank and Willy
passed on. They happened to look back. The wagon
stopped just then, and the lady called them :

" Little boys!"

They halted and returned.

" We are looking for my son ; and this gentleman tells
me that you live about here, and know more of the country
than any one else I may meet."

" Do you know where any graves is ? — Yankee graves ? "
asked the driver, cutting matters short.

" Yes, there are several down on the road by Pigeon Hill,
where the battle was, and two or three by the creek down
yonder, and there 's one in our garden."

" Where was your son killed, ma'am ? Do you know that
he was killed ? " asked the driver.

" I do not know. We fear that he was ; but, of course,
we still hope there may have been some mistake. The last
seen of him was when General Sheridan went through this
country, last year. He was with his company in the rear-
guard, and was wounded and left on the field. We hoped he
might have been found in one of the prisons ; but there is no
trace of him, and we fear —

She broke down and began to cry. " He was my only
son," she sobbed, " my only son — and I gave him up for the
Union, and— She could say no more.

THE BOYS SELL THEIR CAKES TO THE YANKEES.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 149

Her distress affected the boys deeply.

"If I could but find his grave. Even that would be
better than this agonizing suspense."

" What was your son's name ? " asked the boys, gently.

She told them.

"Why, that's our soldier !" exclaimed both boys.

" Do you know him ? " she asked eagerly. " Is — ? Is — ?"
Her voice refused to frame the fearful question.

" Yes, 'm. In our garden," said the boys, almost inaudi-
bly.

The mother bent her head over on her grandson's shoul-
der and wept aloud. Awful as the suspense had been, now
that the last hope was removed the shock was terrible. She
gave a stifled cry, then wept with uncontrollable grief.

The boys, tvith pale faces and eyes moist with sympathy,
turned awa^ their heads and stood silent. At length she
grew calmer.

" Won't you come home with us ? Our father and mother
will be so glad to have you," they said, hospitably.

After questioning them a little further, she decided to go.
The boys climbed into the back of the wagon. As they went
along, the boys told her all about her son, — his carrying
Frank, their finding him wounded near the road, and about
his death and burial.

" He was a real brave soldier," they told her consolingly.

As they approached the house, she asked whether they
could give her grandson something to eat.

i5o TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

"Oh, yes, indeed. Certainly," they answered. Then,
thinking perhaps they were raising her hopes too high, they
explained apologetically :

" We have n't got much. We did n't kill any squirrels
this morning. Both our guns are broken and don't shoot
very well, now."

She was much impressed by the appearance of the place,
which looked very beautiful among the trees.

" Oh, yes, they're big folks," said the driver.

She would have waited at the gate when they reached the
house, but the boys insisted that they all should come in at
once. One of them ran forward and, meeting his mother
just coming out to the porch, told who the visitor was,

Their mother instantly came down the steps and walked
toward the gate. The women met face to face. There was
no introduction. None was needed.

" My son— " faltered the elder lady, her strength giving
out.

The boy's mother put her handkerchief to her eyes.

" I have one, too ; — God alone knows where he is," she
sobbed.

Each knew how great was the other's loss, and in sympa-
thy with another's grief found consolation for her own.

CHAPTER XX.

THE visitors remained at Oakland for several days, as
the lady wished to have her son's remains removed to
the old homestead in Delaware. She was greatly dis-
tressed over the want which she saw at Oakland — for there
was literally nothing to eat but black-eyed pease and the
boys' chickens. Every incident of the war interested her.
She was delighted with their Cousin Belle, and took much
interest in her story, which was told by the boys' mother.

Her grandson, Dupont, was a fine, brave, and generous
young fellow. He had spent his boyhood near a town, and
could neither ride, swim, nor shoot as the Oakland boys did ;
but he was never afraid to try anything, and the boys took a
great liking to him, and he to them.

When the young soldier's body had been removed, the
visitors left ; not, however, until the boys had made their
companion promise to pay them a visit. After the departure
of these friends they were much missed.

But the next day there was a great rejoicing at Oakland.
Every one was in the dining-room at dinner, and the boys'
father had just risen from the table and walked out of the
room. A second later they heard an exclamation of aston-
ishment from him, and he called eagerly to his wife, " Come

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

here, quickly ! " and ran down the steps. Every one rose
and ran out. Hugh and the General were just entering the
yard.

They were pale and thin and looked ill ; but all the past
was forgotten in the greeting.

The boys soon knew that the General was making his
peace with their Cousin Belle, who looked prettier than ever.
It required several long walks before all was made right ; but
there was no disposition toward severity on either side. It
was determined that the wedding was to take place very
soon. The boys' father suggested, as an objection to an im-
mediate wedding, that since the General was just half his
usual size, it would be better to wait until he should regain
his former proportions, so that all of him might be married ;
but the General would not accept the proposition for delay,
and Cousin Belle finally consented to be married at once.

The old place was in a great stir over the preparations.
A number of the old servants, including Uncle Balla and
Lucy Ann, had one by one come back to their old home.
The trunks in the garret were ransacked once more, and
enough was found to make, up a wedding trousseau of two
dresses.

Hugh was to be the General's best man, and the boys
were to be the ushers. The only difficulty was that their
patched clothes made them feel a little abashed at the prom-
inent roles they were to assume. However, their mother

SOME OF THE SERVANTS CAME BACK TO THEIR OLD HOME.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. 155

made them each a nice jacket from a striped dress, one of her
only two dresses, and she adorned them with the military brass
buttons their father had had taken from his coat ; so they felt
very proud. Their father, of course, was to give the bride
away, — an office he accepted with pleasure, he said, provided
he did not have to move too far, which might be hazard-
ous so long as he had to wear his spurs to keep the soles
on his boots.

Thus, even amid the ruins, the boys found life joyous,
and if they were without everything else, they had life, health,
and hope. The old guns were broken, and they had to ride
in the ox-cart ; but they hoped to have others and to do bet-
ter, some day.

The " some day " came sooner than they expected.

The morning before the wedding, word came that there
were at the railroad station several boxes for their mother.
The ox-cart was sent for them. When the boxes arrived,
that evening, there was a letter from their friend in Delaware,
congratulating Cousin Belle and apologizing for having sent
" a few things " to her Southern friends.

The " few things " consisted not only of necessaries, but
of everything which good taste could suggest. There was a
complete trousseau for Cousin Belle, and clothes for each
member of the family. The boys had new suits of fine cloth
with shirts and underclothes in plenty.

But the best surprise of all was found when they came to

j56 TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES.

the bottom of the biggest box, and found two long, narrow
cases, marked, "For the Oakland boys." These cases held
beautiful, new double-barreled guns of the finest make.
There was a large supply of ammunition, and in each case
there was a letter from Dupont promising to come and spend
his vacation with them, and sending his love and good wishes
and thanks to his friends — the " Two Little Confederates."

THE END.

Charles Scribner^ s Sons'1 *Books for Young Readers.

Written and Illustrated by Howard Pyle

A NEW BOOK JUST PUBLISHED.

THE
STORY OF SIR LAUNCELOT AND HIS COMPANIONS

Profusely illustrated. Royal 8vo, $2.50 net.

The account of the adventures and deeds of Sir Launcelot, fully
and beautifully illustrated in Mr. Pyle's characteristic style, and uniform
with his other two books, "The Story of King Arthur and His Knights"
and "The Story of the Champions of the Round Table." This book
takes up the adventures of the greatest of the Arthurian heroes, from
the very beginning, and also that of his son Sir Galahad.

"There is nobody quite like Howard Pyle, after all, when it comes to stories for children,
nobody with his peculiar freshness and enthusiasm, and his power of choosing quaint and
lovely settings for the sometimes quiet, sometimes stirring tales that appeal at once to his
readers by their truth and naturalness." — THE SPRINGFIELD REPUBLICAN.

OTHER 'BOOKS BY MR. PYLE.

THE STORY OF THE CHAMPIONS OF THE ROUND TABLE. Profusely illustrated.

Royal 8vo, $2.50 net.
"He has caught the very spirit of chivalry. It is one of the best of holiday books."— SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE.

KING ARTHUR AND HIS KNIGHTS. Profusely illustrated. Royal

THE STORY OF
8vo, $2.50 net.

"Nothing could be better to give a boy or girl for Christmas than Mr.
Pyle's rendition of these stately, ennobling old legends."

— CHICAGO RECORD-HERALD.

THE MERRY ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD.

Illustrated. Royal 8vo, $3.00.

"This superb book is unquestionably the most original and elaborate ever
produced by any American author. Mr. Pyle has told, with pencil and pen,
the complete and consecutive story of Robin Hood and his merry men in their
haunts in Sherwood Forest, gathered from the old ballads and legends." —
BOSTON TRANSCRIPT.

OTTO OF THE SILVER HAND. Illustrated. Royal
8vo, $2.00.

"The scene of the story is mediaeval Germany in the time of the feuds and
robber barons and romance. The kidnapping of Otto, his adventures
among rough soldiers and his daring rescue make up a spirited and thrilling
story." — CHRISTIAN UNION.

'OTTO OF THE SILVER HAND.'

Reduced.

Charles Scr [brier's Sons' "Books for Young Readers.

Thomas Nelson Page's Two Books.

AMONG THE CAMPS: OR, YOUNG PEOPLE'S STORIES OF THE WAR.
With 8 full-page illustrations. Square, 8vo, $1.50.

" They are five in number, each having reference to some incident of the Civil
War. A vein of mingled pathos and humor runs through them all, and greatly
heightens the charm of them. It is the early experience of the author himself,
doubtless, which makes his pictures of life in a Southern home during the great
struggle so vivid and truthful." — THE NATION.

TWO LITTLE CONFEDERATES. With 8 full-page illustrations
by KEMBLE and REDWOOD. Square, 8vo, $1.50.

" Mr. Page was ' raised ' in Virginia, and he knows the ' darkey ' of the South
better than any one who writes about them. And he knows ' white folks, ' too,
and his stories, whether for old or young people, have the charm of sincerity and
beauty and reality." — HARPER'S YOUNG PEOPLE.

W. O. Stoddard's Books for Boys.

DAB KINZER. A STORY OF A GROWING BOY. THE QUARTET. A SEQUEL TO DAB KINZEJ?
SALTILLO BOYS. AMONG THE LAKES. WINTER FUN.

Five volumes, izmo, in a box, $5.00. Sold separately, each, $1.00.

" William O. Stoddard has written capital books for boys. His ' Dab Kinzer ' and ' The Quartet ' are among the best speci-
mens of 'Juveniles ' produced anywhere. In his latest volume, ' Winter Fun,' Mr. Stoddard gives free rein to his remarkable
gift of Ftory-tellling for bo^;s. Healthful works of this kind cannot be too freely distributed among the little men of America."
— NEW YOXK JOURNAL OF COMMERCE.

Little People

And their Homes in Meadows, Woods, and Waters. By STELLA LOUISE HOOK.
Illustrated by DAN BEARD and HARRY BEARD. One volume, square 8vo, $1.50.

" A delightful excursion for the little ones into the fairy-land of nature, telling all about the little people and all in such
pleasant language and such pretty illustrations that the little readers will be charmed as much as they will be instructed by the
book." — NEW YORK EVANGELIST.

Two Books by Robert Louis Stevenson.

THE BLACK ARROW:

A Tale of the Two Roses. By R. L. STEVENSON. With
12 full-page illustrations by WILL H. Low and ALFRED
BRENNAN. I2mo, $1.25.

" The story is one of the strongest pieces of romantic writing ever dor" by Mr. Stevenson."
—THE BOSTON TIMES.

KIDNAPPED:

Being Memoirs of the Adventures of David Balfour in the
Year 1751. By R. L. STEVENSON. I2mo, with 16 full-page
illustrations, $1.50.

"Mr. Stevenson has never appeared to greater advantage than in ' Kidnapped.' "—Tas
R. L. STEVENSON. NATION.

Charles Scribner's Sons' Books for Young Readers
Frank R. Stockton's Books for the Young.

" His books for boy; and girls are classics." — NEWARK ADVERTISER.

THE CLOCKS OF RONDAINE, AND OTHER STORIES. With 24 illustrations
by BLASHFIELD, ROGERS, BEARD, and others. Square 8vo, £1.50.

PERSONALLY CONDUCTED. Illustrated by
PENNELL, PARSONS, and others. Sq. 8vo, $2.00.

THE STORY OF VITEAU. Illustrated by R.
B. BIRCH. I2mo, $1.50.

A JOLLY FELLOWSHIP. With 20 illustrations.

THE FLOATING PRINCE AND OTHER FAIRY
TALES. Illustrated. Square 8vo, $1.50.

THE TING-A-LING TALES. Illustrated. i2mo, FRANK R. STOCKTON.

$1.00.

ROUNDABOUT RAMBLES IN LANDS OF FACT AND FICTION.
Illustrated. Square 8vo, $1.50.

TALES OUT OF SCHOOL. With nearly 200 illustrations. Square
8vo, $1.50.

" The volumes are profusely illustrated and contain the most entertaining sketches in
Mr. Stockton's most entertaining manner." — CHRISTIAN UNION.

Edward Eggleston's Two Popular Books.

THE HOOSIER SCHOOL-BOY.

Illustrated. I2mo, $1.00.

" ' The Hoosier School-Boy' depicts some of the charac-
teristics of boy-life years ago on the Ohio ; characteristics,
however, that were not peculiar to that section. The story
presents a vivid and interesting picture of the difficulties which
in those days beset the path of the youth aspiring for an edu-
cation."— CHICAGO INTER-OCEAN.

QUEER STORIES FOR BOYS AND

GIRLS. i2mo, $1.00.

" A very bright and attractive little volume for young
readers. The stories are fresh, breezy, and healthy, with a
good point to them and a good, sound American view of life
and the road to success. The book abounds in good feeling
and good sense, and is written in a style of homely art." — IN-
DEPENDENT.

Evening Tales.

Dons into English from the French of Frederic Ortoli, by JOEL CHANDLER

HARRIS. I2mo, $1.00.

" It is a veritable French ' Uncle Remus ' that Mr. Harris has discovered in Frederic Ortoli. The
book has the genuine piquancy of Gallic wit, and will be sure to charm American children. Mr. Har-
ris's version is delightfully written." — BOSTON BEACON.

Hans Brinker :

Or, The Silver Skates. A Story of Life in Holland. By Mary
Mapes Dodge. With 60 illustrations. I2mo, $1.50.

" The author has shown, in her former works for the young, a very rare ability to meet their
wants; but she has produced nothing better than this charming tale — alive with incident and action,
adorned rather than freighted with useful facts, and moral without moralization." — THE NATION.

Scribner's Sons' Hooks for Young Readers.

Heroes of the Olden Time.

By JAMES BALDWIN. Three volumes, 12010, each

beautifully illustrated. Singly, $1.50;

the set, $4.00.

A STORY OF THE GOLDEN AGE.
by HOWARD PYLE.

Illustrated

" Mr. Baldwin's book is redolent with the spirit of the Odyssey, that glo-
rious primitive epic, tresh with trie dew of the morning of time. It is an unal-
loyed pleasure to read his recital of the adventures of the wily Odysseus. How-
ard Pyle's illustrations render the spirit of the Homeric age with admirable
felicity." — PROF. H. H. BOYESEN.

THE STORY OF SIEGFRIED. Illustrated by HOWARD PYLE.

" The story of ' Siegfried ' is charmingly told. The author makes up the story fr^m the various myths in a fascinating
way which cannot fail to interest the reader. It is as enjoyable as any fairy tale." — HARTFORD COURANT.

THE STORY OF ROLAND. Illustrated by R. B. BIRCH.

" Mr. Baldwin has culled from a wide range of epics, French, Italian, and German, and has once more proved his aptitude
IS a story-teller for the young." — THE NATION.

The Boy's Library of Legend and Chivalry.

Edited by SIDNEY LANIER, and richly illustrated by FREDERICKS, BENSELL, and
KAPPES. Four volumes, cloth, uniform binding, price per set, $7.00. Sold
separately, price per volume, $2.00.

Mr. Lanier's books present to boy readers the old
English classics of history and legend in an attract-
ive form. While they are storios of action and
stirring incident, they teach those lessons which
manly, honest boys ought to learn.

THE BOY'S KING ARTHUR.
THE BOY'S FROISSART.
THE BOY'S PERCY.
THE KNIGHTLY LEGENDS OF
WALES.

" Amid all the strange and fanciful scenery of these stories,
character and ideals of character remain at the simplest and
purest. The romantic history transpires in the healthy atmos-
phere of the open air on the green earth beneath the open skv "
—THE INDEPENDENT

Charles Scribner's Sons' Hooks for Young Readers.

Samuel Adams Drake's Historical Books,

THE MAKING OF THE OHIO VALLEY STATES. 1660-1837.
Illustrated. I2mo, $1.50.

THE MAKING OF VIRGINIA AND THE MIDDLE COLONIES.
1578-1701. illustrated. I2mo, $1.50.

THE MAKING OF NEW ENGLAND. 1580-1643. With 148
illustrations and with maps. I2mo, $1.50.

THE MAKING OF THE GREAT WEST. 1812-1853. With
145 illustiations and with maps. I2mo, $1.50.

" The author's aim in these books is that they shall occupy a place between the
larger and lesser histories of the lands and of the periods of which they treat, and
that each topic therein shall be treated as a unit and worked out to a clear understand-
ing of its objects and results before passing to another topic. In the furtherance of this
method each subject has its own descriptive notes, maps, plans and illustrations,
the whole contributing to a thorough, though condensed, knowledge of the sub-
ject in hand." — NEW YORK MAIL AND EXPRESS.

The Butterfly Hunters in the Caribbees.

By Dr. EUGENE MURRAY-AARON. With 8 full-page illustrations. Square I2mo, $2.00

" The book is written in a very interesting style. The author is a recognized authority on the subjects ot which he writes.
He takes a company of young explorers over ground with which he is thoroughly familiar." — THE INDEPENDENT.

'* Our author only reproduces the incidents and scenes of his own life as an exploring naturalist in a way to capture the
attention of younger readers. The incidents are told entertainingly, and his descriptions of country and the methods of capture oi
butterflies and bugs of rare varieties are full of interest." — CHICAGO INTER-OCEAN.

A New Mexico David.

AND OTHER STORIES AND SKETCHES OF THE SOUTH WEST. By CHARLES F. LUMMIS. Illustrated. I2mo,
$1.25.

"Mr. Lummis has lived for years in the land of the Pueblos ; has traversed it in every direction, both on foot and on horse*
back ; and it is an enthralling treat set before youthful readers by him in this series of lively chronicles." — BOSTON BEACON.

EUGENE FIELD.

Poems of Childhood by Eugene Field.

LOVE SONGS OF CHILDHOOD. i6mo, $1.00.

WITH TRUMPET AND DRUM. By EUGENE FIELD. i6mo, $1.0^

"His poems of childhood have gone home, not only to the hearts of children, but to
the heart of the country as well, and he is one of the few contributors to tljat genuine
literature of childhood which expresses ideas from the standpoint of a child." — THE OUTLOOK.

Charles Scribner^s Sons'1 'Books for Young Readers.

By William Henry Frost.

FAIRIES AND FOLK OF IRELAND. Illustrated by SIDNEY R. BURLEIGH. i2mo, $1.50.

"Fresh and delightful materials are incorporated in witty and interesting narratives." — PHILADELPHIA PRESS.

THE KNIGHTS OF THE ROUND TABLE. Stories of King Arthur and the Holy Grail. Il-
lustrated by SIDNEY R. BURLEIGH. i2mo, $1.50.

"The book is especially commended to boys, who will delight in the martial spirit breathed through the tales, and cannot
fail to be benefited by reading of the courage, honor, and truth of these 'brave knights of old.'"

— CHICAGO INTER-OCEAN.

THE COURT OF KING ARTHUR. Stories from the Land of the Round Table. Illustrated
by SIDNEY R. BURLEIGH. i2mo, $1.50.

"Mr. William Henry Frost in 'The Court of King Arthur' has succeeded admirably in his attempt to make the doughty
knights and fair ladies of ancient days seem distinct and interesting to boys and girls of our own time."

— PUBLIC OPINION.

THE WAGNER STORY BOOK. Firelight Tales of the Great Music Dramas. Illustrated by
SIDNEY R. BURLEIGH. izmo, $1.50.

"The story of the Knight of the Swan, of the Ring of the Nibelungen, the Search for the Grail, of Lohengrin and of
Parsifal, are among the richest and deepest of the great mediaeval stories. They are pre-eminently the natural food for
children of imagination, and in this volume these stories are retold in a very effective way." — THE OUTLOOK.

Robert Grant's Two Books for Boys.

JACK HALL; or, the School Days of an American Boy. Illustrated by F. G. ATTWOOD.
i2mo, $1.25.

"A better book for boys has never been written. It is pure, clean and healthy,' and has throughout a vigorous
action that holds the reader breathless."— BOSTON HERALD.

"A capital story for boys, wholesome and interesting. It reminds one of 'Tom Brown.'" — BOSTON TRANSCRIPT.

JACK IN THE BUSH; or, a Summer on a Salmon River. Illustrated by F. T. MERRILL.
i2mo, $1.25.

"A clever book for boys. It is the story of the camp-life of a lot of boys, and is destined to please every boy reader.
It is attractively illustrated."— DETROIT FREE PRESS.

"An ideal story of out-door life and genuine experiences."— BOSTON TRAVELLER.

Charles Scribner*s Sons' 'Books for Young Readers.

The Beard Books for Boys.

BY DANIEL C. BEARD.

THE FIELD AND FOREST HANDY BOOK;

Or, Something New for Every Boy.

Profusely illustrated by the author.

Sq. 8vo, $2.00

"A treasure for all boys and not without its use for men."

— NEW YORK TIMES SATURDAY REVIEW OF BOOKS.

THE JACK OF ALL TRADES; or, New Ideas for American Boys.
Profusely illustrated by the author. 8vo, $2.00.

" He has the boy's enthusiasm, the boy's love of out-of-door sports, and the boy's desire to make some new things. This
book is a capital one to give any boy for a present at Christmas, on a birthday, or indeed at any time." — THE OUTLOOK.

THE bUTDOOR HANDY BOOK. For Playground, Field and Forest. Profusely illustrated

by the author. 8vo, $2.00.
"The volume will be an unmixed delight to any boy." — NEW YORK TRIBUNE.

THE AMERICAN BOY'S HANDY BOOK; or, What to Do and How to Do It. Profusely

illustrated by the author. 8vo, $2.00.

"The book has this great advantage over its predecessors, that most of the games, tricks and other amusements described
in it are new." — NEW YORK TRIBUNE.

The Beard Books for Girls.

BY LIN A AND A DELI A BEARD.

THINGS WORTH DOING AND HOW TO DO THEM. Profusely illustrated by the authors.

Sq. 8vo, $2.00.
"The book will tell you how to do nearly anything that any live girl really wants to do." — THE WORLD TO-DAY.

RECREATIONS FOR GIRLS. A NEW EDITION. Profusely illustrated by the authors.
8vo, $2.00. _

" It teaches how to make secwotAblu Ulld Uklful things of all kinds out of every kind of
material. It also tells how to play and how to make things to play with. The girl who gets
this book will not lack for occupation and pleasure." — CHICAGO EVENING POST.

WHAT A GIRL CAN MAKE AND DO. New Ideas for Work and Play.

Profusely illustrated by the authors. 8vo, $2.00.

" It would be a dull girl who could not make herself busy and happy following its precepts.
... A most inspiring book for an active-minded girl." — CHICAGO RECORD-HERALD.

THE AMERICAN GIRL'S HANDY BOOK; or, How to Amuse Yourself
and Others. Profusely illustrated by the authors. 8vo, $2.00.

"It is a treasure which, once possessed, no practical girl would willingly part with. It is an
invaluable aid in making a home attractive, comfortable, and refined."— GRACE GREENWOOD.

Charles Scribner's Sons' "Books for Young Readers.

Two Books by Henry M. Stanley.

MY DARK COMPANIONS
And Their Strange Stones. With 64 illustrations. 8vo, $2.00

" The following legends," says Mr. Stanley in his introduction, " are the choicest and most
curious of those that were related to me during seventeen years, and which have not been hith-
erto published in any of my books of travel." There are in all nineteen stories, new and striking
in motive and quaint in language.

MY KALULU.

Prince, King, and Slave. A Story of Central Africa. By
HENRY M. STANLEY. One volume, I2mo, new edition,
with many illustrations, $1.50.

" A fresh, breezy, stirring story for youths, interesting in itself and full of information regarding life in the
continent in which its scenes are laid."— NEW YORK TIMES.

" If the young reader is fond of strange adventures, he will find enough in this volume to delight him all wim
be hard to please who is not charmed by its graphic pages." — BOSTON JOURNAL.

HENRY M

interior of the
^r, and he will

Jules Verne's Greatest Work.

THE EXPLORATION OF THE WORLD."

•

"M. Verne's scheme in this work is to tell fully how man las made
acquaintance with the world in which he lives, to combine into a singU work in
three volumes the wonderful stories of all the great explorers, navigat >rs, and
travelers who have sought out, one after another, the once uttermost parts of
the earth." — THE NEW YORK EVENING POST.

The three volumes in a set, $7.50; singly, $2.50.

FAMOUS TRAVELS AND TRAVELLERS.

With over 100 full-page illustrations, maps, etc., 8vo, $2.50.

THE GREAT NAVIGATORS OF THE XVIIITH
CENTURY.

With 96 full-page illustrations and 19 maps, 8vo, $2.50.

THE GREAT EXPLORERS OF THE XIXTH
CENTURY.

With over 100 full-page illustrations, fac-similes, etc., 8vo, $2.50.

Jules Verne's Stories. Uniform Illustrated Edition.

Nine volumes, 8vo, extra cloth, with over 750 full-page illustrations. Price, per set, in a box,
$17.50. Sold also in separate volumes.

MICHAEL STROGOFF ; or, The Courier of the Czar, $2.00. A FLOATING CITY AND THE BLOCKADE
RUNNERS, $2.00. HECTOR SERVADAC, $2.00. A JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THS EARTH, $2.00. FROM
THE EARTH TO THE MOON DIRECT IN NINETY-SEVEN HOURS, TWENTY MINUTES; AND A JOURNEY AROUND IT,
$2.00. DICK SANDS, $2.00. THE STEAM HOUSE, $2.00. THE GIANT RAFT, $2.00. THE MYSTERIOUS
ISLAND, $2.50.

ORE

THE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ

This book is due on the last DATE stamped below.

To renew by phone, call 429-2756

Books not returned or renewed within 14 days

after due date are subject to billing.

Series 237.3

2106 00207